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VOL.  II.  FO..  OCTOiiE:.,  1819.  NO.  IV. 


CONDUCTED  BY 

THE  REV.  EZRA  STILES  ELY,  D.D 

OF  THE  CITY  OF  PHILADELPHIA, 


"  ^\^losoever  transgresseth,  and  abideih  not  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  hath  not  God ;  he  ttat 
abideth  in  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  he  hath  both  the  Father  and  the  Son ." 


VOL.  IL 


PHILADELPHIA : 

PUBLISHED  FOR  THE  AUTHOR,  NO.  200,  SPRUCE  STREET. 
Adam  Waldie,  Prlnttr. 

1819, 


368 

Article  III. — An  Apology  for  the  Book  of  Fsalms,  in  Five  Let-  . 
ters  ;  addressed  to  the  Friends  of  XJnion  in  the  Churches  of 
God.     Bij  Gilbert  M' Master^  A.  M-  Ballston-Spa,  1818,  pp. 
180.  12mo.^ 

An  A]3ology  for  the  Book  of  Psalms !  Pray,  who  can 
need  an  Jipology  for  that  divinely  inspired  book  ?  Surely 
no  Christian  ;  no  friend  to  the  church  of  God ;  no  advo- 
cate for  union  in  that  church  ! 

What  can  our  brother,  the  author,  mean  by  his  title  ? 
What  is  the  object  of  his  book? 

Had  he  entitled  it,  Jin  Apology  for  using  Rouse's  Para- 
phrase  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  in  public  ivorship^  we  should 
have  understood  him  at  once.  Had  he  written  An  Apo- 
logy for  using  some  version  of  the  Book  of  Psalms^  exclu- 
sively^ in  singing  the  pimses  of  God  in  the  church.,  it 

*  As  it  is  one  design  of  our  Review  to  take  notice  of  respectable 
American  publications,  especially  in  theolo<2;y,  we  will  here  state,  that 
the  writer  of  this  ^^/^o/og*?/ has  lately  favoured  the  Christian  public  with 
two  other  works,  which  do  him  more  credit,  and  will  probably  do  the 
church  more  good,  than  the  production  now  under  our  eye.  The  first 
of  these  is  entitled,  *^n  Essay  in  defence  of  some  Fundamental  Doc- 
trines of  Christianiti/ ;  including  a  Review  of  the  Writings  of  Elias 
Smith.  1815,  pjj.  120.  8vo.  In  this  Essay,  according  to  his  intention, 
the  autlior  has  ably  stated  and  defended  "  the  truths  of  scripture,  in 
opposition  to  the  following  errors,'*  of  the  SmithiteSy  or  Flummerites, 
self-styled  Christ  -i-ans  ;  viz. 

"  1.  That  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  is  a  fable.  2.  That  Jesus  Christ 
is  no  more  than  a  man.  3.  That  the  Holy  Spirit  is  only  an  influence 
or  operation.  4.  That  the  soul  is  mortal.  5.  That  Adam's  fall,  origi- 
nal sin,  the  covenant  of  grace,  the  incarnation  of  Christ,  are  fables.  6. 
That  the  death  of  Christ  was  not  intended  to  reconcile  God  to  man, — 
that  the  atonement  is  for  all  men, — that  the  guilt  of  sin  was  not  im- 
puted to  Christ, — that  he  suffered  only  as  an  example.  7.  That  the 
wicked  shall  be  annihilated.  8.  That  females  have  a  right  to  be  pub- 
lic teachers  of  religion,"  &c.  Smith  and  his  adherents  have  generally 
been  thought  too  contemptible  as  men  and  teachers,  to  deserve  atten- 
tion, or  require  opposition  ;  but  they  have  multiplied,  sent  forth  their 
apostles,  built  churches,  and  deluded  many.  No  error  calculated  to 
destroy  the  souls  of  men  is  unworthy  of  exposure  and  refutation.  Mr. 
M*M.  deserves  our  gratitude  for  attempting  seriously  to  write  against 
a  pernicious  heresy,  ^vhich  others  have  answered  only  with  a  sneer  or 
some  expression  of  abhorrence. 

Tlie  other  work  of  the  same  author,  is  a  very  correct  exhibition  of 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity  under  the  title  of  "  The  Shorter  Cate- 
chism Jinahfzed.-^  We  do  not  know  a  better  manual  of  systematic 
riicology  than  this. 


1819.]  M'-Master's  Apology.  369 

would  have  been  a  correct  exhibition  of  the  general  spirit 
of  his  treatise. 

Those  Christians  who  employ  other  sacred  hymns  than 
those  called  ver^sions  of  the  Psalms  of  David,  admit  as 
fully  as  our  author,  that  the  book  of  Psalms  is  a  very  im- 
portant, spiritual,  and  highly  useful  portion  of  the  divinely 
inspired  Scriptures,  which  ought  to  be  read  in  every  reli- 
gious congregation  and  family.     We  protest,  therefore, 
against  any  one's  writing  in  such  manner  as  to  imply,  that 
we  who  sing  sacred  songs  composed  by  Watts  and  other 
uninspired  writers,   discard  any  portion  of  the  word  of 
God.     It  is  treating  us  unfairly.     We  protest  also  against 
every  insinuation,  that  by  our  making  solemn  songs,  to  be 
used  in  the  public  or  private  praise  of  Jehovah,  we  attempt 
to  add  something  to  the  word  of  the  Lord.     No  writer  of 
any  piece  of  this  nature,  so  far  as  we  have  learned,  has 
ever  wished  to  introduce  his  lines  into  the  Bible.    Did  we 
pretend  that  our  stanzas  are  divinely  inspired,  and  ought 
to  be  received  as  a  part  of  the  divine  oracles,  we  should 
then  be  exposed  to  the  plagues  that  are  ivritten,  against 
him  who  would  add  to  the  words  of  Revelation. 

Let  it  be  well  understood  too,  that  when  we  select  some 
portions  of  the  book  of  Psalms  to  be  sung  on  any  particu- 
lar occasion,  or  statedly,  in  our  religious  assemblies,  we 
do  not  thereby  attempt  to  cast  the  rest  of  that  book  out  of 
the  sacred  volume ;    nor  intimate  that  the  whole  is  not 
profitable^  that  the  man  of  God  may  he  thoroughly  fur- 
nished unto  every  good  work.     It  is  unreasonable,  there- 
fore, to  charge  us  with  taking  aivayfrom  the  words  of  the 
prophecy  of  this  book  ;  and  needless  to  warn  us,  in  relation 
to  our  psalmody,  that  it  will  take  away  our  jiart  oid  of  the 
book  of  life.     But  it  is  said,  that  the  book  of  Psalms  was 
given  us  not  only  to  be  read^  but  also  to  be  sung  in  our 
churches.     Here  we  admit,  that  if  a  divinexommand  can 
be  found,  which  requires  the  particular  congregations  of  the 
Lord's  people  to  chaunt  or  sing  the  whole  book  of  Psalms, 
it  is  a  sin  to  disobey  it ;  but  where  is  the  injunction  to  be 
found?  Mr.  M*M.  has  not  produced  it.     Some  of  the 
Psalms  were  indited  for,  and  their  titles  show  that  they 
were  required  to  be  sung  on,  particular  occasions;  and  al- 
though they  may  be  read  with  profit,   yet  without  some 


370  JPMastef's  Apotopj.  [Oct. 

accommodation  they  would  not  be  suited  to  any  other 
circumstances.  These  occasional  psalms,  nevertheless, 
furnish  much  matter,  which  in  truly  scriptural  language, 
may  be  adapted  by  a  slight  paraphrase,  to  'people  under 
thousands  of  different  circumstances.  It  would  have  been 
strange,  then,  if  all  Christians  had  been  required  to  sing 
literal  translations  of  all  the  divinely  inspired  Psalms,  and 
nothing  else  :  but  could  such  a  requisition  be  found  in  all 
the  Bible,  we  would  henceforth  renounce  all  other  songs 
in  the  worship  of  the  Most  High. 

It  shall  be  granted  at  once,  that  either  a  literal  translation, 
or  a  paraphrase,  of  all  the  Psalms  may  be  made,  which 
might  be  sung  in  every  Christian  church ;  and  that  it 
would  be  undesirable  and  inexpedient  to  banish  the  book 
of  inspired  Psalms,  from  our  system  of  Psalmody.  Never 
would  we  willingly  see  the  Psalms  of  David  supplanted. 

It  shall  be  granted  too,  that  it  would  be  desirable  to  have 
a  metrical  translation  of  the  Psalms,  as  nearly  expressive 
of  the  sense  of  the  original,  as  may  be  practicable,  conside- 
ring the  different  idioms  of  Hebrew  and  English  poetry. 
Indeed,  it  would  delight  us  to  obtain  a  sort  of  blank  verse 
translation  of  the  book  of  Psalms,  in  which  there  should 
be  found  the  spirit  of  the  inspired  penmen,  without  the 
trammels  of  rhyme.  It  was  the  folly  of  attempting  to  make 
the  ends  of  the  lines  sound  alike  in  a  version  of  the  origi- 
nal, that  rendered  the  psalms  of  Rouse  so  utterly  unlike 
any  other  species  of  composition  in  our  language.  The 
Latins,  Greeks,  and  Hebrews  were  accustomed,  from  the 
structure  of  their  languages,  to  inversions;  but  to  bring 
out  he  &  he,  ive  &:  me,  and  a  few  other  chimes,  a  conside- 
rable portion  of  the  verses  must  be  distorted,  and  the  sen- 
tences advance  wrong  end  foremost.     Take  an  example. 

"I  also  am  a  vile  reproach 
Unto  them  made  to  be; 
And  they  that  did  upon  me  look, 
Did  shake  their  heads  at  me." — Ps.  cix.  25. 

The  prose  translation  is  natural.  **  I  became  also  a  re- 
proach unto  them  :  when  they  looked  upon  me  they  shaked 
their  heads." 

A  version  without  rhyme  might  be  metrical,  poetical, 
and  nearlv  literal ;  but  iithe  lines  must  terminate  in  simi- 


1819.]  M' Master's  Apology.  571 

lar  sounds,  then  we  may  expect  either  such  imitations  and 
paraphrases  as  Dr.  Watts  has  given,  or  such  uncouth  verse 
as  Rouse,  and  nothing  better. 

With  equal  freedom,  we  concede,  moreover,  that  Dr. 
Watts  and  others  have  written  many  unguarded  sentences 
concerning  David  and  some  of  the  Psalms,  which  we  dis- 
approve as  sincerely  as  Mr.  M*M.  can  do:  for  there  is  no 
need  of  an  apology  for  the  prophetic  denunciations  against 
the  wicked,  which  David  sung;  nor  should  it  be  ever 
figuratively  said,  that  there  is  occasion  for  the  efforts  of 
Dr.  Watts  to  convert  David  into  a  Christian. 

Having  premised  these  things,  we  are  now  prepared  to 
follow  our  author  through  his  train  of  thought,  exhibited 
in  the  Letters  before  us. 

In  Letter  I.  he  remarks,  that  "  psalmody,  in  its  matter 
and  forms,  has  always  claimed,  and  deservedly  obtained, 
no  small  share  of  Christian  attention:" — that  "every  fa- 
culty of  man  should  be  consecrated  to  the  service  of  his 
Creator:" — that  sentiment  accompanied  by  tlie  fascina- 
tions of  music,  has  such  powerful  influence  over  the  hu- 
man mind,  that  great  circumspection  should  be  used  to 
prevent  the  singing  of  false  doctrines:* — that  the  social 
hinging  of  praise  is  an  ordinance  of  God,  established  by 
positive  precept,  and  confirmed  by  the  example  of  Christ 
and  his  apostles : — that  the  church  of  Christ  is  really  one, 
and  ought  to  maintain  a  visible  unity  in  her  doctrines,  and 
so  far  as  is  practicable,  in  her  modes  of  worship: — that 
the  matter  of  our  songs  must  be  evangelictil,  and  such  as 
God  approves  : — and  that  no  portion  of  the  church  should 
needlessly  '*  wound  the  sensibilities  of  the  meanest  among 
the  children  of  grace."  To  all  this  we  subscribe  a  solemn 
Amen.  He  writes  nobly,  when  he  adds,  "The  sons  of 
Zion  are  friends  to  truth ;  children  of  the  same  family^ 
they  touch  with  freedom  each  other's  mistakes,  they  re- 
prove with  an  affectionate  heart,  and  love  as  brethren  still. 
Differences  can  never  be  removed  unless  they  occuja'  a 
share  of  thought,  and  find  a  place  in  free  and  meek  discus- 

*  "  Let  me/*  said  Judge  Hale.  "  be  ballad-maker  for  a  natiou;  and  I 
care  not  who  are  legislators." 


372  M'Master's  ^^pologij.  [Oct. 

sion.     Discussion,  to  rise  above  chicanery,  must  be  plain  ; 
to  be  useful,  it  must  be  meek.'' 

Now  the  difference  between  Mr.  M'M.  and  ourselves, 
so  far  as  it  relates  to  Letter  I.  is  principally  this ;  he  would 
have  us  avoid  wounding  the  few  Reformed,  and  Associate 
Reformed,  and  Associate  Presbyterians,  in  the  United 
States,  by  banishing  all  our  psalms  and  hymns,  commonly 
used,  from  places  of  public  worship,  and  restoring  the 
Psalms  of  David  as  versified  by  Rouse  ;  while  we  would 
have  them  use  such  a  selection  of  Psalms  as  they  think 
best,  and  be  contented  that  we  should  do  the  same.  He 
seems  to  think  that  they  do  ivell,  and  we,  that  they  do  ill, 
to  be  offended  at  our  exercise  of  Christian  liberty  in  this 
matter.  When  we  meet  in  religious  assemblies,  with  our 
brethren,  who  think  the  version  of  Rouse  the  best  extant, 
we  unite  with  them  in  the  use  of  those  songs  of  praise, 
and  should  be  glad  to  have  them  reciprocate  the  conde- 
scension, when  we  sing  what  they  judge  to  be  evangelical 
sentiments,  in  our  congregations.  We  would  not  take 
away  Rouse  from  them,  nor  have  them  wrest  Watts  from 
us.  We  are  ready,  moreover,  to  give  them  a  pledge,  that 
when  they  will  prepare  a  better  selection  of  scriptural 
psalms  and  hymns  than  any  now  in  use,  we  will  adopt  it  in 
conjunction  with  them;  and  so  become  one  in  the  use  of 
the  psalm  and  hymn  book,  as  we  are  now  one  in  the  use 
of  the  Bible,  and  substantially  in  all  the  doctrines  of  grace 
and  government. 

But  it  is  demanded,  "  Why  then  rend  in  pieces  the  body 
of  Christ  ?"  We  answer,  that  we  would  not  rend,  but 
promote  unity;  by  allowing  each  visible  section  of  the 
church  to  judge  for  itself,  in  relation  to  its  own  psalmody ; 
and  would  still  hold  not  only  Chrtstian,  but  ecclesiastical 
fellowship  with  them,  so  long  as  they  do  not  adopt  senti- 
ments inconsistent  with  the  continuance  of  such  fellow- 
ship. We  cannot  see  how,  or  why,  it  should  rend  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  this  country,  for  one  congregation 
to  sing  evangelical  sentiments  from  one  book,  while  others 
sing  the  same  sentiments  from  another ;  any  more  than 
for  Mr.  M^Mastcr's  congregation  to  sing  tht  fiftieth  ps-ahn 
in  Rouse,  on  the  same  Lord's  day  in  which  Dr.  Wylic's 
people  of  the  same  denomination,  shall  sing  the  hundred 
andfjtieth. 


1319.]  M'Master's  Jipohgy.  373 

But  granting  it  is  laivful  tor  us  to  u^e  the  versifications 
of  Watts,  is  it  expedient  1  Take  heed,  says  our  author, 
in  the  languas^e  of  in.'jpiraiion,  lest  by  any  means  this  liber* 
ty  of  yours  become  a  stumbling  block  to  them  that  are 
iceak.  When  ye  sin  so  against  the  brethren^  and  wound 
their  weak  conscience^  ye  sin  against  Christ,  p.  11.  We 
might  turn  the  tables,  and  say,  *'Do  you,  who  are  few  in 
number,  when  compared  with  the  Christian  bretnren  from 
whom  you  differ,  take  heed  that  you  do  not  wound  and 
grieve  multitudes,  by  your  strenuous  attachment  to  your 
favourite  version,  and  by  your  unreasonable  opposition  to 
evangelical,  useful  hymns,  which  have  edified  thousands, 
and  tens  of  thousands  of  the  people  of  God.  In  a  matter 
of  expediency,  the  few  should  yield  their  prejudices  and 
prepossessions  to  the  judgment  of  the  many.  The  gene- 
ral sentiment  of  the  great  body  of  the  church  of  Christ  in 
the  world,  should  not  be  sacrificed,  in  such  a  concern,  to 
the  sentiment  of  a  small  minority." 

Let  us  not,  however,  misunderstand,  and  misapply  di- 
vine injunctions.  If  our  brother  is,  in  a  modern  sc^nse, 
offended  at  our  eating  m£at^  we  will  continue  to  eat  it,  so 
long  as  we  judge  it  to  be  expedient;  but  if  our  eating 
meat  cause  our  brotJier  tosin^  that  is,  in  a  scriptural  accep- 
tation offend  him^  ice  will  not  eatmeat  whilethe  ivaitd  stands. 
Eating  in  an  idol's  temple  did  thus  cause  some  to  commit 
idolatry  ;  and  so  the  Apostle  would  have  Christians  ab- 
stain from  eating  of  sacrifices,  offered  to  idols,  even  while 
they  knew  that  an  idol  is  nothing.  Some  brethren  had 
iceak  consciences,  that  wxre  liable  to  be  easily  perverted 
and  injured ;  and  therefore,  it  was  a  duty  to  avoid  all  such 
practices,  however  lawful  in  themselves,  as  were  calculated 
to  make  a  new  convert's  conscience  approve  of  idolatrous 
services.  A  sttimhling  block,  in  a  scriptural  sense,  is 
something  which  causes  one  to  stumble  in  his  moral  walk; 
something  which  occasions  one  to  commit  sin.  Now 
should  our  Scotch  brethren  sing  with  us,  from  the  influ- 
ence of  our  example,  we  have  no  fear  that  they  would,  in 
so  doing,  offend  God,  or  sin  against  their  fellow  men.  We 
have  no  fear,  that  our  psalms  and  hymns  will  prove,  in  a 
scriptural  sense,  a  stumbling  block  to  anv  man,  however 
weak  in  conscience.    Unreasonably  offended  or  displeased 

VOL.   II.  •      3   B  NO.  4o 


374  M^ Master's  Apology,  [Oct. 

at  us,  for  using  the  soogs  of  praise,  which  we  deem  most 
profitable,  our  brethren  may  be ;  but  we  cannot  help  it. 

We  lift  up  a  warning  voice,  and  say  to  all  who  choose 
to  sing  Rouse's  Psalms,  take  heed  not  to  make  the  liberty 
which  you  enjoy,  and  which  we  cheerfully  accord  to  you, 
an  occasion  of  disunion  in  the  family  of  Christ.  We  are 
brethren  ;  w^e  love  you  ;  and  expect  your  religious  friend- 
ship in  return.  We  may  unite  in  the  same  presbyteries, 
synods,  and  other  assemblies,  since  we  agree  in  the  doc- 
trines of  grace,  and  mode  of  church  government ;  while 
we  have  some  variety  in  our  psalmody  ;  such  as  now  sub- 
sists, without  any  unpleasant  consequences,  among  many 
congregations  represented  in  the  same  General  Assembly. 
*'In  moments  of  devout  reflection,  the  man  of  piety  will 
approve  of  that  course,  which  on  proper  ground,  most  ef- 
fectually tends  to  unite  the  followers  of  the  Lamb.''  Let 
not  a  little  difference  in  the  matter  of  psalmody,  provided 
the  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity  be  prominent  in 
the  system  adopted  by  each  particular  church,  be  a  ground 
of  separation.  Come  and  unite  with  us,  in  every  thing 
else  ;  and  you  may  sing  Rouse  for  aye,  "  Will  you,  then, 
can  you,  ye  friends  of  concord,  refuse  this?"  p.  16. 

Letter  IL  is  on  the  *'  ancient  history  of  Psalmody."  In 
this  our  author  examines  the  representations  of  the  Rev. 
Dr.  James  Latta,  and  of  Messrs.  Freeman  and  Baird.'  We 
have  on  the  table  before  us, 

1 .  A  Discourse  on  Psalmody  ;  by  Dr.  Latta,  printed  in  1 794, 
pp.  146,  8vo. 

2.  A  Discourse  on  Psalmody,^  delivered  at  Newburgh^  before 
the  Presbytery  of  Hudson^  Sept.  1801,  by  Jonathan  Freeman^ 
A.  M.  V,  D.  M.  Nexvburgh  1801,  pp.  31,  8vo. 

3.  Science  of  Praise^  or  an  Illustration  of  the  Nature  and  De- 
sign of  Sacred  Psalmody^  £ifc.  By  T.  D.  Baird.,  Minister  of  the 
Gospel.,  Newark.,  Ohio.     Zanesville.,  1816,  pp.  108,  12mo. 

4.  Plain  Reasons  why  neither  Dr.  Watts'^  Lnitations  of  the 
Psalms.,  nor  his  other  Poems.,  nor  any  other  human  composition.^ 
ought  to  be  used  in  the  praises  of  the  great  God  our  Saviour., — 
but  that  a  metre  version  of  the  book  of  Psalms.,  examined  with 
•tvise  and  critical  care.,  by  pious  and  learned  divine's.,  and  found 
by  them  to  he  as  near  the  Hebrexv  metre  Psalms  as  the  idiom  of 
the  English  language  xvoidd admit.,  ought  to  be  used.  By  Tho' 
mas  Clark.,  V.  D.  M.     Albany.,  1783,  pp.  33,  12mo. 

5.  An  Essay  on  Psahnody,  and  the  Preface  to  the  Psalms  of 


1819.]  J\f  Master's  Apology.  8  7 5 

Daoid  Imitated^  by  Dr.  Watts.,  in  vol.  ix.  of  his  Works.     'Leeds 
edition. 

6.  Vindicice  Cantatus  Do??iinici,  ^c.  By  the  Rev.  yohn  An- 
derson, 1800,  pp.  403,  12mo. 

Messrs.  Freeman  and  Baird  are  represented  by  Mr. 
M*M.  as  copyists  of  Dr.  Latta.  We  have  had  the  op- 
portunity of  comparing  them  with  him  :  and  we  give  our 
judgment,  that  they  are  inferior  to  him,  but  no  more  like 
him,  than  the  author  of  the  Apologij  is  like  the  writer  of 
Plain  Reasons.  Yet  we  cannot  aiiirm,  that  Mr.  M'M. 
ever  read  the  Letters  of  Mr.  Clark.  This  last  writer  con- 
tends, that  the  use  of  human  compositions  in  praising  God 
is  ''  1.  unwarrantable ;  XL  superfluous,  if  not  superstitious; 
III.  hurtful  to  the  peace  of  the  church,  and  offensive  to 
God's  people ;  IV.  conniving  with  the  reproaches  of  the 
book  of  Psalms;  and  V.  dangerously  exposing  ourselves 
to  the  curses  of  God."  He  comes  finally  to  this  conclu- 
sion, "  that  we  ought  to  use  God's  own  book  of  Psalms, 
in  praising  his  name, — 1.  Because  God  commanded  n^  to 
praise  his  name  with  -the  words  of  David  and  Asaph  ^  ^ 
Chron.  xxix.  30  — 2.  Because  in  using  it  we  follow  the 
pious  example  of  the  flock  of  Christ. — 3  Because  it  best 
suits  the  various  cases  of  Christians^  souls  in  our  times,  and 
is  most  for  edification."* 

Our  remarks  in  reply  to  the  Apoloify  will  equally  serve 
for  its  predecessors,  the  little  volume  of  Plain  Reasons.,  and 

*  "  But  say  you,  such  is  the  excellence  and  perfection  of  tlie  Psalms 
of  David,  they  are  so  well  suited  to  the  case  of  every  Christian,  and 
they  give  such  clear  discoveries  of  the  Gospel,  that  it  would  be  arro- 
gance and  presumption  to  deviate  from  them,  or  to  pretend  to  add  any 
thinj^  to  the  light  and  advantages  that  may  be  derived  from  them.  If 
this  be  so,  why  did  God  raise  up  so  many  prophets  after  David,  some 
of  them  far  out-shining  him  for  gospel -light  and  discoveries,  and  why 
did  he  after  all  fiipe.a]c  to  us  by  his  own  Son  ?  Or  was  there  no  need 
that  he  should  appear  as  our  teacher.'*  Lafta]  p.  7'o.  The  truth 
is,  all  parts  of  the  Bible  are  not  of  the  same  relative  importance ;  as 
any  one  may  know  by  reading  "Adam,  Sheth,  Enosn,"  Chryn.  i.  1. 
when  compared  with  John  iii.  16.  "God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he 
gave  his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  liim  sliould 
not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life."  liut  in  this  controversy,  all  the 
advocates  for  Rouse,  attach  to  the  Psalms  of  David  more  than  tliei»- 
relative  importance  ;  wiiile  some  of  the  admirers  of  WattiJ  have  incau- 
tiously attributed  to  them  less  than  is  due.      , 


376  Chnstian  Psalmody.  [Oct,  * 

Mr.  Anderson's  elaborate  work.  Dr.  Watts  and  Dr.  Latta, 
with  Messrs.  Freeman  and  Baird,  may  be  set  in  array 
against  the  three  other  authors  just  named  in  this  article. 

The  example  of  the  primitive  age  of  the  Christian 
church  is  claimed  on  each  side.  Pliny,  the  younger,  who 
was  born  A.  D.  62,  and  died  A.  D.  113,  in  a  letter  to  Tra- 
jan says,  ''  Essent  soliti  stato  die  ante  lucem  convenire, 
carmenque  Christo,  quasi  Deo,  dicere  secum  invicem.'"* 
T'/ie?/  were  wont  to  assemble  on  a  stated  day ^  before  it  was 
lights  and  sing  a  hymn  together  to  Christ,  as  to  God, 

*•'  The  words  dicere  secum  invicem,  mean  no  more  than 
to  sing  together ;  or  as  Vossius  explains  them, '  Pliny's 
meaning  is,  that  the  priest  was  not  the  only  person  who 
sang  ;  but  others  singing  also,  they  stirred  up  one  another. 
Whence,  Tertullian,  in  his  Apology,  c.  39,  after  he  had 
spoken  of  their  love  feasts,  adds ;  After  we  have  washed 
our  hands,  and  the  candles  are  lighted,  every  one  is  desired 
to  sing  to  God  in  the  midst  of  the  company,  according  as 
he  is  able,  either  out  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  or  somewhat 
of  his  own  composing,  "^  "f 

*'Thus  you  see,"  says  Mr.  Freeman,  p.  13.  "from  the  testi- 
mony of  Pliny,  that  the  primitive  Christians  were  not  confined 
to  David's  Psalms.  A  few  of  them,  it  appears,  were  sung. 
Tertullian  observes  that  the  133cl  was  sung  in  his  day.  Those 
psalms  of  David  which  are  not  peculiar  to  him,  nor  to  the  Jew- 
ish church,  in  regard  to  locality  and  the  ceremonial  rites,  may 
be  used  in  different  ages.  It  is  the  exclusive  use  of  David's 
psalms  that  I  oppose.  And  I  am  supported  by  sufficient  evi- 
dence taken  from  the  practice  of  primitive  Christians.  I  can 
see  no  reason  why  Tertullian  should  particularize  one  psalm 
of  David,  if  they  were  all  in  general  use.  That  other  songs 
of  praise  were  in  general  use  is  evident." 

Mr.  M'Masters  comes  to  a  different  conclusion.  *^  If 
those  Christians,"  says  he,  "sung  the  forty-fifth  Psalm, 
they  must  literally  have  addressed  Christ  as  God.  Com- 
pare verses  I — 9,  with  Heb.  i.  8,  9,  and  this  will  be  evident. 
— Or  had  they  sung  a  portion  of  the  cii.  Psalm,  would 
it  not  have  been  a  song  to  Christ  as  God  ?  I  do  not  know 

*  Plin.  Epist.  xcvii.  60. 

t  "  A  Tractate  on  Church  Music  ;  being  an  extract,  from  the  Rev.  and 
learned  Mr.  Pierce's  "Vindication  of  the  Dissenters,"  Lond.  1786. 


1819.  Christian  Psalmody,  377 

what  our  modern  hi/nmoli^^ists  would  think  of  these  ;  but 
certain  I  am,  the  apostle  Paul  did  believe  them,  as  well  as 
many  others,  to  be  odes  to  Clirist."  True,  Mr.  M'M. 
you  know,  and  we  know,  and  Paul  knew,  that  these  Psalms 
refer  to  Christ;  but  was  Pliny  likely  to  know  all  this? 
Because  we  know  the  divinely  explained  meaning  of  these 
Psalms,  it  is  not  fair  to  infer  that  Pliny  did.  Had  he  heard 
of  Christians  singing  only  these,  and  other  portions  of  the 
Hebrew  psalms,  he  would  have  concluded  that  they  were 
all  Jews.  The  Hebrews,  who  rejected  Christ,  sang  these 
very  Psalms,  and  neither  Pliny  nor  any  of  the  unconverted 
Jews,  thought  they  were  singing  songs  of  praise  to  Jesus 
C^hrist  as  God.  None  of  the  psalms  of  the  Old  Testament 
expressly  mention  the  name  of  Christ,  and  had  not  the 
Christians  expressly  sung  his  name  with  ascriptions  of  di- 
vine honours  to  him,  Pliny  would  have  thought  no  more 
of  their  mode  of  worship,  than  of  that  uniformly  practised 
in  a  Jewish  synagogue.  It  seems  to  us,  therefore,  to  be 
the  most  natural  conclusion  from  the  letter  of  Pliny  to  Tra- 
jan, that  the  Christians  of  his  day  actually  sang  songs  of 
praise  to  Jesus,  of  human  composition.  It  is  an  inference 
quite  too  far  fetched  for  Pliny,  that  "  if  they  sung  the  forty- 
fifth,  forty-seventh,  sixty-eighth,  &c.  Psalms,  they  were 
singing  hymns  to  Christ  as  God."  This  would  not  have 
distinguished  them  from  Jews.  The  same  remark  applies 
to  several  passages  adduced  by  Br.  Latta  from  the  fathers, 
in  which  they  testify  that  the  early  Christians  sung,  not  the 
Psalms  sung  by  the  Hebrews  in  the  temple  and  synagogue, 
but  hymns  of  praise  directly  addressed  to  Christ  by  name. 
In  his  appeal  to  the  fathers  Dr.  Latta  certainly  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  all  his  opponents. 

The  other  passages  adduced  from  ancient  historians  by 
Dr.  Latta,  Mr.  Freeman  and  others,  on  his  side  of  the  ques- 
tion, appear  to  us  to  prove  very  little,  if  any  thing,  more  than 
this,  that  has  just  been  considered.  They  merely  corrobo- 
rate the  testimony  of  Pliny.  It  is  clear  also,  that  the  writ- 
ings cited  by  Mr.  M*M.  to  prove,  that  some  of  the  psalms 
of  David  and  Asaph  were  sung  by  the  primitive  Christians, 
can  never  evince,  that  they  sung  nothing  else  in  their  p'lblic 
assemblies.  The  Bible,  after  all,  and  not  any  uninspired  his- 
tory of  the  practice  of  any  age;  not  even  of  that  of  the  apostles 


378  Chislian  Fsalmodif.  [Oct. 

themselves ;  is  the  statute  book  of  Christians.  The  Bible 
is  the  only  allowed  rule  of  the  faith  and  practice  of  Protes- 
tants. If  the  Bible  has  required  us  to  sing  nothing  else  but 
the  inspired  book  of  Psalms,  then  we  will  sing  nothing 
else ;  for  what  the  Bible  requires  is  a  duty ;  and  what  it 
does  not  forbid,  it  permits.  This  is  a  peculiar  attribute  of 
divine  law. 

In  Letter  III.  of  the  Apology^  we  have  the  "  modern 
history  of  Psalmody,''  which  however  correct,  or  incor- 
rect, can  as  little  claim  to  be  law  on  this  subject,  as  ancient 
history.  In  the  middle  ages,  the  purest  section  of  the 
church  of  God,  in  the  valleys  of  Piedmont,  we  are  in- 
formed, sung  the  psalms  of  scripture.  "  The  Albigenses, 
in  1210,  were  metre  psalm  singers."  p.  53.  The  Re- 
formers too,  sung  scripture  songs,  in  Germany,  France, 
England,  and  Scotland. 

"Luther,  as  early  as  the  year  1525,  published  a  metre  ver- 
sion of  the  psalms.  In  the  same  year  at  Augsburg,  was  pub- 
lished a  poetic  translation  of  the  whole  book,  by  another  hand. 
In  the  year  1543,  under  the  auspices  of  Calvin,  fifty  of  the 
psalms,  translated  into  verse  by  Marmot^  a  refugee  from  papal 
persecution,  were  printed  at  Geneva.  Marmot  died  shortly 
after  this,  and  Beza^  the  devout,  learned,  and  polished  com- 
panion of  Calvin,  versified  the  remainder.  The  whole  book, 
thus  versified,  was  in  a  few  years  published.  In  England,  the 
friends  of  reform  were  also  the  friends  of  the  Bible  psalms. 
For  their  use,  several  of  them  were  turned  into  metre  by  Wyatt 
and  others ;  but  a  full  version  was  not  obtained,  till  after  the 
accession  of  Elizabeth.  The  year  1562  presented  that  by 
Stcrnhold^  Hopkins^  Cox^  Norton^  &:c.  This  was  used  in  the 
church  of  England,  till  superseded  by  the  more  imperfect  ver- 
sion of  Tate  and  Brady ^  in  A.  D.  1696. — In  the  Scottish  church 
the  reformers,  from  the  first,  practised  psalmody.  It  is  said  they 
sung  the  Book  of  Psalms  in  prose ;  the  form,  perhaps,  in  which 
it  should  still  be  used.  Before  A.  D.  1546,  there  is  no  authen- 
tic account  of  any  use  of  metred  psalms  in  that  church  ;  but 
both  before  and  after  that  period,  in  one  form  or  another,  the 
book  of  Psalms  was  uniformly  employed  in  their  congregations. 
In  A,  D.  1556,  versified  psalms  were  commonly  sung  in  their 
assemblies.  The  whole  book  of  psalms,  however,  was  not  put 
into  measure  before  1559;  from  which  period  a  version,  first 
published  at  Geneva,  was  authorised,  till  superseded  by  that 
still  used  in  the  church  of  Scotland."  3I'M's.  Apology,  p.  54.  57, 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody,  r:>79 

We  shall  here  introduce  a  little  piece  of  history,  relative 
to  psalmody  in  the  church  of  Scotland,  which  will  prove, 
that  the  version  of  Rouse  was  deemed  a  paraphrase^  and 
not  a  translation  ;  and  that  other  sacred  songs  than  those 
contained  in  the  book  of  Psalms,  are  admitted  by  this  an- 
cient body  of  Presbyterians. 

"By  the  Act  of  Assembly,  Aug.  6th,  1649,  their  Commis- 
sion being  impowered  to  emit  the  Paraphrase  of  the  Psalms, 
and  establish  the  same  for  public  use,  they  did  accordingly  co^n- 
clude  and  establish  the  Paraphrase  of  the  Psalms  in  metre, 
now  used  in  this  church,  after  the  Presbyteries  had  sent  their 
animadversions  thereupon.  In  the  38th  Sess.  of  Assem.  1648, 
th'ere  is  an  act  for  examining  the  labours  of  Mr.  Zachary  Boyd, 
upon  the  other  Scripture-Songs.  And  by  Assem.  1706,  Sess. 
4.  the  Scripture-Songs  by  Mr.  Patrick  Sympson,  Minister  at 
Renfrew,  are  recommended  to  be  used  in  private  families  :  and 
in  order  to  prepare  them  for  the  public  use  of  the  church,  this 
was  renewed,  Assem.  1707,  and  by  the  15th  Act  of  Assem. 
1708,  their  Commission  is  instructed  and  appointed  to  consi- 
der the  printed  version  of  the  Scripture-Songs  with  the  re- 
marks of  Presbyteries  thereupon,  and  after  examination  there-; 
of,  they  are  authorized  and  empowered  to  conclude  and  emit 
the  same,  for  the  public  use  of  the  church  :  the  present  version 
of  the  Psalms  having  been  ordered  in-the  same  manner,  in  the 
year  1649."  Stewart's  Collections^  Book  ii.  Title  i.  Sec.  25,  27. 

These  Scripture- Songs  have  ever  since  continued  in 
use;  so  that  the  authority  of  the  church  of  Scotland  may 
be  cited  in  favour  of  singing  hymns,  as  distinguished  from 
psalms^  according  to  the  modern  use  of  those  words. 

The  version,  of  which  the  ground  work  was  laid  b} 
Sir  Thomas  Rouse,  but  which  was  improved  by  the  West 
minster  Assembly,  and  the  General  Assembly  of  Scotland, 
was  formerly  used  by  all  the  Congregational  and  Presby- 
terian churches  in  the  United  States. 

In  171'^,  Dr.  Isaac  Watts  published  in  England  *^  the 
Psalms  of  David,  imitated,  in  the  language  of  the  New 
Testament."  The  dissenters  soon  began  tD  receive  and 
use  them  in  Great  Britain,  and  the  Congregationalists  in 
New  England  followed  their  example.  Alter  them,  the 
Presbyterians  in  America,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  in 
number,  allowed  all  to  use  the  psalms  and  hymns  of  Dr. 
Watts  who  may  think  it  proper.     The  General  Assemblv 


S80  Christian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

in  the  United  States  at  present  allows  each  church  under 
its  care  to  sing  the  old  version,  or  the  imitation  by  Watts,  or 
the  improved  version  of  psalms,  and  a  selection  of  hymns, 
prepared  by  the  late  excellent  Dr.  Dvvight,  accord- 
ing to  the  option  of  each  minister,  session  and  people.  This 
state  of  things  in  our  portion  of  the  church,  Mr.  M'M.  con- 
siders as  deplorable,  and  he  censures  our  Supreme  Judica- 
ture as  having  judicially  decided,  that  a  human  composure 
is  "  more  fit  for  Christian  worship,  than  a  correct  version 
of  the  inspired  psalms."  p.  61.  Here  our  author  pro- 
ceeds, as  he  does  elsewhere,  upon  the  assumption,  that 
the  lines  of  Rouse  were  written  by  divine  inspiration  ;  and 
that  w^e  prefer  the  composure  of  man  to  the  writings  of  in- 
spiration, because  we  allow  our  congregations  to  sing 
Watts,  Rouse,  and  Dwight,  without  excluding  any  one  of 
them.  He  tells  us,  that  in  opposition  to  the  General  As- 
sembly, "  the  Associate,  the  Associate  Reformed,  and  Re- 
formed Presbyterian  churches,  were  all  conspicuous  in  de- 
fence of  inspired  psalms  and  hymns,  as  suitable  to  the 
worship  of  the  church  of  God." 

The  Associate  Reformed  Church,»in  a  judicial  act  declar- 
ed,— "  Nor  shall  any  goraposures,  merely  human ^  be  sung 
in  any  of  the  associate  reformed  churches."  Yet,  to  the 
great  regret  of  our  author,  this  church  in  1816,  *'  Resolved, 
that  the  version  of  the  book  of  Psalms,  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment, recently  prepared  for  the  use  of  the  reformed  Dutch 
church  in  America,  be  permitted  to  be  used.*"  We  can- 
not think,  however,  that  our  brethren  of  the  Associate  Re- 
formed connexion,  now  sing  any  composures  merely  hu- 
man^  any  more  than  the  chaunters  of  Rouse  ;  for  the  ver- 
sion used  by  the  Reformed  Dutch  connexion  is  scriptural 
and^evangelical.  It  is  true,  the  venerable  Doctor  Living- 
ston, who  prepared  the  version  in  question,  is  no  poet ; 
but  as  a  divine,  no  man  in  America  ever,  upon  the  whole, 
excelled  him ;  and  where  he  has  mangled  the  poetry  of 
Watts,  he  has  improved  the  theology,  and  in  roughness  of 
versification  approximates  Rouse,  so  that  Mr.  M*M.  ought 
to  be  gratified  by  his  alterations,  and  retract  his  remarks 
concerning  the  "  inutilated  imitations  of  the  psalms,"  adopt- 
ed by  '*  the  immobility  of  the  church  of  Holland.''  p.  68. 
This  modern  history,  we  acknowledge,  furnishes  nothing 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmodij,  38 1 

decisive  on  the  controvers}  about  psaiiDody  ;  but  were  we 
to  deduce  any  inferences,  certainly  they  would  be  those  of 
Mr.  Freeman. 

"  The  version  of  psalms  by  Rouse,  then,  is  of  late  date,  and 
is  as  much  a  human  composition,  as  that  of  Watts.  It  was  al- 
tered and  amended  by  the  general  assembly  of  the  church 
of  Scotland,  before  it  was  introduced  into  the  churches." — 
"The  assembly  also  published  and  recommended  a  number  of 
poems  from  Watts,  whom  they  stile  the  pious  and  ingenious 
doctor  Watts.  Thus  you  see  that  the  general  assembly  of 
the  church  of  Scotland  introduced  Rouse's  Version  of  the 
Psalms,  and  recommended  various  songs  of  praise  to  the  use 
of  their  churches.  And  they  were  so  far  from  thinking  that 
the  version  of  Rouse  was  given  by  inspiration,  that  they  deem- 
ed it  a  very  incom.plete  system  of  psalmodv,  and  passed  seve- 
ral acts,  to  have  it  enlarged  and  rendered  more  perfect."  Disc, 
p.  21. 

Mr.  M*Masters  himself  admits,  from  a  "review  of  the 
church's  history,  ancient  and  modern,"  '*  that  human  com- 
posures existed,  and  in  some  sections  of  the  Christian  com- 
monwealth, had  a  place  beside  inspired  composureSv  But 
their  existence  and  use,  neither  prove  nor  disprove  a  di- 
vine appointment.  The  fact  must  be  settled  by  other 
evidence,  than  the  practice  of  either  ancient  or  modern 
days.''  p.  70.     So  Sciy  we,  and  pass  to 

Letter  IV.  in  which  he  proposes  tn  discuss  "the  follow- 
ing question  :  Ought  the  Book  of  Psalms  to  be  used  stilly 
in  the  public  service  of  the  church?'''  We  answer  the  ques- 
tion in  the  affirmntive,  instaatly,  for  the  book  of  Psdlmsis 
a  part  of  the  Bible,  and  ought  to  be  read  and  expounded 
in  the  church,  as  a  minister  may  have  time  and  opportu- 
nity to  do  it.  It  is  strange  that  our  author  should  think 
the  issue  of  the  controversy  depends  on  the  determination 
of  this  question.  We  might  even  answer,  that  the  book 
of  Psalms  ought  still  to  be  used  'in  the  psahnodij  of  tlic 
church;  and  yet  not  imply,  that  we  ought  to  sii:ga  literal 
translation  of  the  whole,  without  paraphrase  or  comment, 
if  we  could.  Some  portions  of  the  Psalms  relate  to  pecu- 
liar Jewish  ceremonies,  which  have  ceased,  and  although 
they  may  be  read  and  explained,  and  applied  with  great 

VOL.    IT.  He  N0T4. 


382  Christian  Psalmody,  [Oct. 

•propriety ;  yet  if  we  would  use  them  as  a  song  of  praise 
,  suited  to  our  circumstances,  we  must  accommodate  them 
to  the  nature  of  our  worship  ;  and  by  sacrifices  mean,  not 
what  the  Psalmist  originally  did,  but  religious  exercises  in 
general.  Will  JVPM.  say,  that  we  ought  to  sing  every 
portion  of  the  book  of  Psalms  with  the  original  meaning, 
unless  we  add,  to  make  it  historical  cantation,  David  sung^ 
saying?  "  Pll  bring  burnt- ofterings  to  thy  house. — 

"  Burnt  sacrifices  of  fat  rams 

With  incense  I  will  bring ; 
Of  bullocks  and  of  goats  I  will  • 

Present  an  offering.'*     Ps.  Ixvi.  13. 

We  might  convert  the  verse  into  history,  and  then  cele- 
brate the  example  of  the  pious  in  ancient  times ;  or  we 
may  attach  spiritual  ideas  to  the  words,  which  they  do  not 
natur^dly  convey,  and  by  fat  rams,  bullocks,  and  goats 
sacrificed,  mean  when  we  sing,  by  a  mental  accommoda- 
tion, liberal  donations  to  the  poor^  ardent  prayers,^  and 
songs  of  thanksgiving, 

'*The  inquiry,  then,  is  not  whether  it  be  lawful  to  use, 
in  the  praises  of  God,  any  other  inspired  song,  besides  what 
are  found  in  the  book  of  Psalms.     This,  so  far  as  I  know, 
has  never  been  a  matter  of  contention."  p.  75.     It  is  grant- 
ed then,  that  we  may  with  propriety  sing  any  inspired  song ; 
or  a  translation  of  any  poetical  part  of  the  Bible  :  and  wc 
would  wish  no  hymns,  no  spiritual  songs,  which  have  not 
some  portion  of  revealed  truth  for  the  matter  of  them.  But 
must  we 'sing  nothing  but  a  translation,  or  the  original 
Hebrew  and  Greek  ?  May  we  not  sing  a  parapJurase  or 
commentary,  which  is  perfectly  consistent  with  biblical 
truth?  If  Mr.  M'M.  will  indulge  us  in  this  liberty,  we 
ask  no  more,  for  the  introduction  of  any  scriptural  and 
truly  evangelical  ode.     *'The  question  at  issue  is,  Shall 
we  have  any  version  of  this  divine  book,  as  the  matter  of 
our  praise?"  p.  7).     Yes,  we  will  have  the  best  metrical 
version  of  the  book  of  Psalms  in  our  churches  which  we 
can  find,  as  a  very  important  part,  but  not  the  exclusive 
matter  of  our  praise ;  for  we  may  versify  any  inspired  song, 
contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures.     But  what  is  a  version? 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  383 

Not  always  a  literal  translation.  A  version  may  be  very 
free,  and  yet  give  you  the  spirit  of  the  original,  whence  it 
is  made,  more  perfectly  than  a  translation,  corresponding 
word  for  word,  could  possibly  do.  Again,  if  we  may  sing 
a  version  of  one  of  the  psalms  of  David,  and  a  version  of 
the  song  of  the  angels  at  the  advent  of  the  Messiah,  is  il: 
any  crime  to  sing  a  hymn  composed  from  a  version  of  both 
combined  ?  Surely,  if  it  is  no  sin  to  sing  these  separately, 
we  may  sing  them  when  combined,  as  Watts  has  com- 
bined many  of  the  psalms  with  poetical  portions  of  the 
New  Testament. 

But,  The  Book  of  Psalms  is  actually  excludedfrom  the 
psalmody  of  their  churches,  says  our  opponent,  with  em- 
phasis. Not  quite,  dear  sir  !  We  sing  versions  of  many 
parts  of  that  blessed  book,  and  would  gladly  sing  either  a 
version  of,  or  a  paraphrase  on,  ever}^  part ;  especially  if 
you  would  suffer  us  to  mingle  in  the  song  such  expres- 
sions from  other  parts  of  the  Bible  as  tend  to  expound  or 
apply  the  original  psalm.  Rouse'^s  version,  we  admit,  kj 
excluded  from  most  of  our  churches ;  but  we  are  not  of 
the  people  who  believe  David  and  Asaph  to  have  made 
the  very  book  which  Rouse  made.  This  version  Mr. 
MsM.  believes  is  the  best  extant,  p.  76.  It  is,  indeed,  a 
sort  of  a  version  of  the  whole  book,  but  in  our  judgment, 
many  scattered  versions  of  different  parts  of  the  Psalms 
may  be  found  which  far  excel  the  corresponding  parts  of 
Rouse.  Why  then  not  sing  these  superior  versions  of  se- 
veral of  the  psalms,  and  take  Rouse  for  the  portions  which 
better  writers  have  neglected  ? 

The  fundamental  proposition  of  iht  Apology  is,  that  a 
correct  version  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  should  be  employed 
in  the  psalmody  of  the  church  of  God.  p.  77.*^     To  this 

*  The  Rev.  Mr.  Anderson  has  given  us  a  tedious,  but  thorough -going 
M'ork.  He  states,  "that  there  are  portions  of  scripture  peculiarly 
adapted-'  to  psalmody.  Granted.  Next  he  asserts,  that  the  "psalms 
were  given  to  the  church  as  forms  of  psalmody,  and  not  as  patterns 
after  which  other  forms  were  to  be  composed  for  being  used  in  solemn 
worship."  This  proposition  he  has  not  proved  to  be  true.  He  has 
merely  shown  that  gome  of  the  psalms  were  directed  to  be  sung  in  the 
temple  on  particular  occasions  by  the  chief  musician,  and  that  Heze- 
kiah  exercised  his  authority  in  requiring  the  Levitos  to  sing  praise  to 


384  Christian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

we  have  no  objec'tion,  if  we  arc  allowed  to  exercise  our 
discretion  in  selecting  the  portions  of  this  version  to  be 
publicly  sung,  and  ii"  it  is  not  intended  to  exclude  other 
evangelical  songs,  compiled  from  different  passages  of  the 
Bible,  and  expressive  of  the  works  of  creation,  provi- 
dence, and  grace.     It  seems,  however,  to  be  the  intention 

the  Lord,  in  the  words  of  David  and  Asaph.     His  third  proposition 
is,  "that  the  inspired  forms  of  psalmody  were  given  to  be  sung  in  the 
public  and  solenm  worship  of  the  church,  to  the  end  of  the  world/* 
This  is  coming  to  the  point.     Now,  if  he  can  support  this  proposition ; 
and  prove  in  addition,  that  the  church  may  lawfully  sing  nothing  else, 
the  v/ork  is  done,  the  controversy  ended.     But  Mr.  A.  finds  it  much 
easier  to  make  formal  and  logical  statements,  than  to  support  them  by 
any  other  evidence  than  his  own  affirmation.     The  inspir^jd  penmen 
of  the  Psalms  intimate,  he  says,  that  the  church  was  to  sing  tlieir 
psalms  to  the  end  of  time,  for  David  says,  /  ivill  praise  thy  name  for 
ever  and  ever.     Wondrous  argument!  We  judge  that  David  is  now 
praising  God  in  Heaven,  and  w  ill  continue  to  do  it ;  not  exclusively, 
however,  in  the  words  he  used  on  earth :  therefore,  (logic !  logic  !)  all 
Christians,  to  the  end  of  time,  oii,2;htto  sing  nothing  else  but  the  words 
of  David  and  Asaph.  The  rest  of  his  evidence  is  thus  stated;  "what- 
ever form  of  worship  God  hath  appointed,  ought  to  be  observed  till 
the  end  of  time;  unless  he  himself  intimate,  that  it  is  only  temporary, 
and  to  be  abrogated  at  a  certain  period.     It  cannot  be  denied,  that  he 
once  appointed  his  church  to  sing  his  praise  in  the  words  of  David 
and  Asaph.     And  where  have  we  any  intimation  of  his  will  that  the 
church  should  cease  to  do  so  before  the  end  of  tim*?"  p.  16.  Q.  E.  D. ! 
He  should  have  first  proved,  that  God  appointed  the  singing  of  the 
Psalms  of  David  as  a  mode  of  worship  to  all  mankind,  before  he 
could  have  reasonably  inferred,  that  in  this  mode  all  men  ought  to 
sing  praise  to  God  to  the  end  of  time.     He  should  have  pioved  also, 
that  none  of  the  Psalms  contained  in  the  Bible,  were  explicitly  given 
to  be  sungb}^  a  particular  people,  at  special  seasons.    But  he  has  done 
neither  of  these  things ;  nor  can  he,  so  long  as  we  read  such  prefaces 
to  some  of  the  Psalms  as  this: — »^  psalm  of  David,  ivho  spake  unto 
the  Lord  the  words  of  thisson^in  the  day  that  the  Lord  delivered  hhn 
from  all  his  enemies,  and  from  the  hand  of  Said ;  and  he  said,  &c. 
Thou  hast  given  me  the  necks  of  mine  enemies,  that  I  might  destroy 
them  that  hate  thee.  Ps.  xviii.  4U.    To  justify  'himself  in  singing  the 
original  ppulms  in  a  Christian  assembly,  m  a  literal  translation,  Mr.  A. 
admits  that  some  passages  must  be  sung  with  mental  reservations  and 
restrictions.    "  We  answer  candidly,  that  the  principles  we  proceed 
upon  in  singing  such  passages  in  the  psalms,  are  chiefly  these  two: 
-Firtit,  Ihat  in  this  part  of  solemn  worship,  it  is  warrantable,  to  consider 
many  passages  which  we  sing  as  the  words  of  others,  and  as  expres- 
sive of  their  ca?e,  not  of  our  own.     Secondly,  that  some  of  these 
passages  may  be    considered  as   examples  of  a   common  figure  of 
speech,  w'lereby  an  i^idividual,  or  particular,  represents  a  whole  species 


1819.]  Chnstian  Psalmody,  585 

of  owv  champion  of  Rouse,  that  the  best  version  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms  alone^  should  he  employed  in  the  psalmody 
of  the  church.  The  proposition  above  quoied,  he  vindi- 
cates, 

"  On  the  ground  of  divine  appointment, — on  the  ground  of 
the  suitableness  of  this  book, — of  its  superior  excelience,  above 
all  human  composures, — of  the  uncertainty  of  the  divine  per- 
mission of  such  human  composures, — of  the  unsatisfactory  na- 
ture of  the  arguments  used,  to  recommend  them, — and  the 
dangerous  consequences  of  their  introduction  into  the  public 
worship  of  the  church."  p.  78. 

If  God  has  appointed  the  whole  book  of  psalms  to  be 
sung  publicly  by  his  church,  in  all  ages  ;  and  has  forbid- 
den his  people  to  sing  any  thing  else,  then  the  controversy 
is  settle'd  at  once.  We  deny  that  there  is  any  such  divine 
appointment,  and  prohibition.  Let  any  one  who  takes  the 
affirmative  produce  them.  Mr.  M'M.  has  failed  to  pro- 
duce proof  of  the  appointment ;  and  has  not  attempted  to 
adduce  any  prohibition.  He  judiciously  declines  resting 
"the  proof  of  the  divine  institution  of  these  sacred  odes, 
as  the  matter  of  the  church's  psalmody,  on  the  simple 
fact  of  a  reforming  king  of  Judah  commanding  that  thev 
should  be  employed ;"  2  Chron.  xxix.  30;  while  Mr.  Clark 
considers  that  passage  as  clear  evidence  of  our  duty  on 
this,  subject.  '*  Moreover,  Hezekiah  the  king  and  the 
princes  commanded  the  Levites  to  sing  praise  unto  the 
Lord  with  the  words  of  David,  and  of  Asaph  the  seer : 
and  they  sang  praises  with  gladness.''  With  Mr.  Baird, 
p.  52, 

"We  may  be  permitted  to  express  our  surprise,  that  ever 
this  text  has  been  strained  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  has  been 
so  frequently  applied.  And  were  it  not  so  common  to  make 
Scripture  speak  any  language  which  prejudice  or  fancy  dictates, 
we  should  have  thought  it  impossible.     The  command  of  He- 

or  kind."  p.  23.  And  so  we  are  to  ?ax\^  figuratively  ?i{\di  mean, — not 
what  we  say,  in  addressing  praise  to  God !  For  instance,  in  the  lix. 
Ps.  fo  the  chief  musician,  when  Saul  sent  and  watched  the  house  to  kill 
David,  we  are  to  sing, 

"  In  wrath  consume  them,  them  corjsume, 

That  so  tliey  may  not  be  ;'' 
and  we  are  to  add  in  tliou;^lit,  "  we  mean  not  so,  Lord ;  but  David 
did  ;'•  when  he  propheticdlly  declared  tiie  destruction  of  his  enemies. 


586  Ckiistian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

zekiah  and  the  princes,  who  assisted  him  on  that  occasion, 
may  be  fully  understood  by  adverting  to  the  usual  mode  of  con- 
ducting worship  in  our  own  day.  The  person  who  conducts  wor- 
ship, directs  the  person  who  leads  the  music  to  the  psalm  or 
hymn  he  desires  to  be  sung.  In  that  way,  and  in  no  other, 
did  Hezekiah  command  the  Levites,  who  were  singers,  to  use 
the  words  of  David  and  Asaph.  That  it  was  not  designed  as 
a  command  for  future  generations,  and  especially  for  the  gos- 
pel day,  is  obvious;  for,  if  they  intended  the  command  as 
perpetually  binding,  all  the  psalms  of  Heman,  Ethan,  and  Je- 
duthan,  and  others,  must  be  excluded ;  as  they  were  not  the 
words  of  David  and  Asaph." 

In  the  Christian  dispensation  of  the  covenant  of  grace, 
there  are  no  Levites  to  be  still  bound  by  the  command  of 
Hezekiah  ;  nor  have  we,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  con- 
verted Jews,  and  some  learned  divines,  any  who  have  suffi- 
cient knowledge  of  the  Hebrew  language  to  sing  the 
WORDS  of  David  and  Asaph;  for  should  we  sing  a  literal 
translation  of  them,  we  should  only  sing  in  our  oivn  ivords 
the  sentiments  of  those  pious 'psalmists.  In  this  way  we 
answer  the  assertion  of  Mr.  Clark,  which  Mr.  M'M.  has 
expounded,  p.  81,  that 

"  Other  books  of  divine  Revelation  are  given  us  to^be  read 
and  to  be  meditated  u^iOT)^  hut  the  Book  of  Psalms  is  given  us 
that  we  niay  not  only  read  it  and  meditate  on  it,  but  sing  it  also, 
with  the  spirit  and  understanding,  with  devout  fervour  and  di- 
vine delight,  in  the  assemblies  of  his  saints,  on  his  holy  sab- 
baths, as  well  as  in  private  families."  P.  R.  p.  15. 

The  Hebrew  Psalms,  in  their  original  state,  are  suited 
to  the  purpose  of  public  singing,  in  a  congregation  that 
can  read  the  poetry  of  David ;  but  surely  the  Hebrew 
Psalms  in  metre  are  not  given  to  an  English  congregation 
to  be  sung ;  nor  has  God  given  any  English  translation  of 
those  psalms  in  metre,  to  be  either  read  or  sung. 

In  su])port  of  a  divine  appointment  for  the  continued 
use  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  Mr.  M*M.  and  Mr.  Ander- 
son allege,  that  Jesus  and  his  disciples  sung,  ''after  the 
eucharistic  supper,  a  portion  of  that  part  of  the  book  of 
psalms,  called  the  Hillcl^  by  the  Jews,"  which  is  composed 
of  Psaln^s  113  to  118  inclusive.  The  Bible  has  recorded 
no  such  fact  for  our  example.  But  what  if  they  did? 
They  were  Jews,  and  could  understand  the  original  poetry^ 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  387 

which  was  adapted  to  music.  But  while  we  are  com- 
manded to  sing,  we  are  not  required  to  sing  the  same 
words  ^vhich  they  did,  any  more  than  the  same  air.  After 
supper,  tlie  Lord  and  his  disci])les,  we  arc  told,  sang  an 
hymn  ;  but  we  are  not  informed  what  particular  hymn  by 
the  author  of  the  inspired  oracles,  because,  no  doubt,  he 
did  not  deem  it  a  matter  of  importance. 

The  author  of  the  Apology  further  urges  what  he  calls 
"New  Testament  authority.''  Is  any  merry?  Let  him 
sing  psalms.  Jam.  v.  13.  This,  however,  proves  nothing 
more  than  that  a  person  who  is  merry  ought  to  sing  psalms 
of  a  pious  and  evangelical  kind,  composed  by  some  one: 
but  whether  David,  Asaph,  Rouse,  or  Watts,  the  apostle 
does  not  say.  Is  any  merry  ?  Let  him  sing  psalms,  com- 
posed by  any  writer  who  celebrates  the  praises  of  Jehovah 
in  the  language  of  truth.  If  James  had  said,  let  him  sing 
THE  PSALMS,  he  wou  Id  have  referred  to  some  then  extant ; 
or  had  he  said  the  Psalms  of  David,  it  would  have  been 
an  explicit  command  to  use  them  ;  but  no  prohibition 
against  the  use  of  other  forms  of  sound  words,  expressive 
of  gratitude  and  love. 

The  last  scriptural  j)roof  of  a  divine  appointment  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms,  to  be  sung  in  all  particular  churches, 
Avhich  Mr.  xM'M.  cites,  is  Col.  iii.  16.  Let  the  tvord  of 
Christ  dwell  in  you  richly  in  all  wisdom ;  teaching  aivi 
admonishing  one  another  in  psalms^^  and  hymns.,  and 
spiritual  songs,  singing  icith  grace  in  your  hearts  to  tJie 
Lord.  In  the  Book  of  Psalms,  says  our  author,  (and  Mr. 
Anderson  had  told  the  same  story  before  him,  p.  56,)  are 

*  How  easily  might  the  apostle  have  said,  teaching:  and  admonish- 
ing one  anniherout  of  the  Book  of  Psalms,  and  nothing  more,  had 
tliat  been  liis  meaning !  "  The  psalms  of  David  are  never  referred  to 
in  the  New  Testament,  but  in  a  manner  so  direct  and  express,  that 
they  cannot  be  mistaken.  Thus  Luke  xx.  42,  David  himself  saiih  in 
the  Book  of  Psalms,  &c.  And  our  Lord  says,  Luke  xxiv.  44.  Ml 
things  must  be  fulfilled  which  icere.  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,and 
in  the  prophets,  and  in  the  Fsalms,  concerning  me.  The  like  may  be 
observed  of  all  the  other  instance.^  in  which  the  Psalms  of  David  are 
quoted  ;  as  Acts  i.  --0 — and  xiii.  33,  35.  If,  therefore,  the  Psalms  of 
David  had  been  introduced  and  established  among  the  converts  at  C'o- 
losse  and  Ephesus,  no  fcuson  can  be  assit^ned  why  the  apostle  should 
have  Used  such  a  diversity  of  phrase,  and  not  have  sjwkea  of  tliese 


383  Chnstian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

all  these  psalms^  and  hymns,  and  spiiitual  songs  to  be 
found,  for  *'  his  Spirit  ha^  dictated  a  great  variety  of  son^s, 
— and  collected  into  one  Book,  for  the  use  of  the  church, 
those  he  judged  proper."  But  how  does  he  know  that 
Paul  did  not  intend  some  of  the  hymns  and  songs  contained 
in  other  portions  of  the  Bible  ?  Indeed,  he  does  not ;  and  so 
he  comes  out  with  an  imposing  demand  of  **  evidence  of 
the  existence  in  the  apostolic  age,  of  any  other  Psalms 
an^  Hymns, and  Spiritual  SQNGsJhanthose contained 
in  Scripture.'''  We  grant,  that  all  the  pieces oi'  inspired 
poetry  then  recommended  to  be  sung,  were  contained  some- 
where in  the  Bible  ;  yet  not  in  the  book  of  psahns  ;  but 
in  our  turn,  we  demand  evidence,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  in- 
tended the  pieces  suited  to  psalmody,  which  were  then 
written,  and  those  only  when  he  indited  the  passage.  We 
demand  proof,  that  every  human  composition,  consonant 
with  the  word  of  God,  and  suited  from  its  metre  to 
psalmody,  is  not  included  in  those  psalms,  or  hymns,  or 
spiritual  songs,  with  which  Christians  may  teach  and  ad- 
monish one  another.  To  every  age  of  the  church,  we 
should  suppose  the  passage  naturally  directed;  that  it 
might  convey  the  idea  of  the  duty  of  Christians  to  edify  one 
another,  by  the  right  use  of  all  evangelical  songs  to  which 
they  may  have  access,  and  for  the  singing  of  which  they 
have  opportunity. 

Instead  of  supporting  the  cause  of  Mr.  M^M.  the  pass- 
age is  decidedly  in  favour  of  those  who  would  sing  para- 
Psalms  in  the  usual  manner,  as  being  familiar  and  well  known  to  them. 
But  his  directing  the  members  of  these  churches  to  the  ivord  of  Christ, 
• — his  commanding  them  to  do  all  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus, — 
his  enjoining  them  to  give  thanks  unto  God  and  the  Father,  hij  him, 
manifestly  show,  that  the  apostle  had  not  the  most  distant  reference 
to  tlie  Psalms  of  David.  Our  apostle  always  distinguishes  the  word 
of  Christ  from  what  has  been  spoken  by  David  and  the  prophets." 
Larta's  Discourse,  p.  ii4.  Still  this  writer  allows  that  the  whole  Bible 
is,  in  a  qualified  sense,  the  word  of  Christ.  Mr.  M'M.  discovers  as 
much  virulence  against  Dr.  Latta,  as  he  erroneously  says  Dr.  L.  does 
"aL^ainst  the  inspired  songs  of  Zion."  We  think,  indeed,  that  the 
Psalms  of  David  and  Asa])h,  would  not  be  so  imperfect  a  system  of 
psalmody,  had  we  them  in  English  verse,  as  the  Doctor  seems  to  have 
imaji^iiied  ;  but  it  is  an  outrage  to  call  him  "  the  most  confident  enemy 
of  the  scripture  psalms,"  and  his  book,  tlie  "  thoughtless  drivellings  of 
dotage."  Apol.p.  9.7,  34. 


1819.]  CImstian  Psalmody.  389 

phrases,  translations,  or  versions  of  David's  psalms,  to- 
getlier  with  any  other  hymns  or  spiritual  songs,  which  they 
deem  suitable  in  metre,  savoury  in  spirit,  and  sound  in 
doctrine.  Psalms^  hymns,  and  spintual  songSj  Mr.  Clark 
and  others  inform  us,  are  '*  the  titles  of  three  arrange- 
ments,'^ or  divisions  of  the  book  of  Psalms.  Cahnet 
shows,  that  the  Hebrews  commonly  divided  the  Psalms 
into  five  books,  and  that  some  of  the  Christian  fathers  ad- 
mitted this  division,  and  thought  it  very  ancient ;  but  of 
three  divisions,  denoted  by  the  terms  used  in  Col.  iii  16, 
we  have  no  evidence.     Dr.  Watts  says, 

"  I  think  no  man  hath  better  explained  the  original  meaning 
of  these  words  than  Zanchy.  A  psalm,  i^ax/Moj,  is  such  a  song 
as  usually  is  sung  with  other  instruments  besides  the  tongue* 
Hymns,  y^vo/,  such  as  are  made  only  to  express  the  praises,  and 
set  out  the  excellencies  of  God.  Songs,  fiiT^/,  such  as  contain 
not  only  praises,  but  exhortations,  prophecies,  thanksgivings, 
and  these  only  sung  with  the  voice."  In  "  Eph.  v.  19,  and 
Col.  iii.  16,  it  is  joined  with  the  word  spiritual;  and  that  seems 
to  be  used  by  the  apostle  in  all  his  epistles,  as  a  very  distin- 
guishing word  between  the  law  and  the  gospel,  the  Jewish  and 
the  Christian  worship.  Tl^e  Jews  had  carnal  ordinances,  and 
carnal  commandments,  and  their  state  and  dispensation  is  often 
called  Jksh^  but  the  church  under  the  gospel  is  '  a  spiritual 
house,  blessed  with  spiritual  blessings,  endowed  with  spiritual 
gifts,  to  worship  God  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  to  offer  spiritual 
sacrifices,  and  to  s'm^  spiritzial  sou^s.^^  Works,  vol.  ix.  p.  4,  5. 

We  grant,  however,  that  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual 
songs  are  to  be  found  in  the  book  of  Psalms  ;  but  to  these 
the  apostle  does  not  confine  us.*     Any  song  in  which  the 

*  Mr.  Anderson  attempts  boldly  to  defend  the  position  "  That  the 
scripture-songs  are  the  only  forms  of  psalmody  which  ought  to  be  used 
in  the  solemn  and  public  worship  of  the  church.'*  p.  34.  '  His  first  ar- 
g'i mentis,  chat  alt  ivays  or  means  of  worsliipjjing  God,  not  appointed 
in  his  wordy  are  to  be  rejected : — (he  singing  of  other  coniposltionsi 
than  those  which  the  Hohj  Spirit  hath  given  us  in  the  Scriptures,  un- 
der the  designation  of  psalms  or  songs,  is  a  way  or  mean  of  ir  or  ship- 
ping God,  not  appointed  in  his  word:  therefore,  all  such  singing  ought 
to  be  rejected.  In  reply,  we  allege,  that  God  has  appointed  public 
praise,  but  has  given  no  form  of  psalmody  for  his  church  tluougli  every 
age.  lie  has  given  us  examples  of  holy  men,  who  from  time  to  time, 
in  his  church,  have  composed  and  publicly  sung  songs,  peculiarly  srit- 
ed  to  their  own  times  and  circumstances;  aHd  he  lias  recjuired  Chris- 
tians in  all  ages  to  edify  one  another,  by  the  use  of  spiritual  songn, 

VOL.  IT.  3  D  No.  4. 


390  Christian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

word  of  Christ  divells  richly,  so  that  the  song  being  re- 
membered, the  word  dwells  in  our  minds,  may  be  sung 
for  the  instruction  and  admonition  of  others;  and  should 
be  sung  with  grace  in  our  hearts,  to  the  praise  of  the  Lord. 
This  appears  to  us  to  be  a  fair  construction  of  the  sense  of 
the  text ;  for  there  is  no  word  nor  clause,  which  limits  the 
psalms,  the  hymns,  or  the  spiritual  songs  to  be  sung,  with 
gracious  affections,  for  the  edification  of  the  saints,  to  those 
contained  in  the  divinely  inspired  book  of  Psalms,  or  even 
in  the  Bible.  Mr.  M*M.  we  conclude,  therefore,  has  not 
proved  the  divine  institution  of  the  book  of  psalms  as  the 
exclusive  system  of  psalmody.  He  has  not  proved  that  God 
has  given  us  a  liturgy  for  praise,  any  more  than  for  prayer; 
and  it  would  have  been  strange  had  he  done  one  without 
the  other. 

The  adaptation  of  the  Book  of  Psalms  to  the  purposes 
of  sacred  praise.^  when  suitably  versified,  and  explained  in 

prescribing  only  that  they  should  bb  consonant  to,  and  richly  reple- 
nished with  the  word  of  Christ 

Where  does  Jehovah  say,  "  I  appoint  the  book  of  Psalms  to  be  sung 
by  the  church  of  God,"  in  any  age ;  and  where  does  he  say,  that  he 
ordains  it  as  a  system  of  psalmody  to  be  used  to  the  end  of  time  ?  The 
fact  is,  God  has  appointed  solemn  psalmody ;  but  he  has  no  where  ap- 
pointed the  whole  form  of  words  to  be  sung  in  any  age  of  the  church. 
Mr.  A.'s  other  arguments  claim  not  the  honour  of  being  considered  as 
demonstrations  of  syllogistic  importance.  He  tells  us,  as  all  his  fol- 
lowers have  done,  that  the  scripture-songs  are  sufficient  in  number 
and  variety,  that  they  are  ot  superior  excellence  to  all  human  compo- 
sitions ;  and  that  the  new  scheme  of  using  other  than  scripture-songs 
in  solemn  worship  is  attended  with  dangerous  consequences, 

Mr.  Anderson  should  have  defended  some  such  syllogisms  as  these, 
to  make  his  cause  good ; 

Any  form  of  psalmody  appointed  to  be  sung  by  the  church  in*all 
ages,  should  be  sung  in  all  ages : 

But  God  hath  appointed  Rouse's  version  as  a  form  of  psalmody  to  be 
sung  in  all  ages ; 

Therefore,  Rouse's  version  should  be  sung  in  all  ages  of  the  church. 
And, 

It  is  unlawful  to  sing  any  form  of  words  not  divinely  arranged ; 

But  Watts's  form  of  words  was  not  divinely  arranged  ; 

Therefore,  it  is  unlawful  to  sing  Watts's  form  of  words. 
Again,  for  an  Enthymeme, 

Rouse's  form  of  words  was  divinely  arranged,  in  his  version; 

Therefore,  it  is  lawful  to  sing  Rouse's  form  of  words^  through  aU 
ages,  of  the  church. 


i 


1819.  Christian  Psalmody.  391 

a  few  places,  we  have  no  disposition  to  dispute.  Dr.  Watts 
expresses  our  mind,  when  he  says,  *'  I  esteem  the  book  of 
Psalms  the  most  valuable  part  of  the  Old  Testament  upon 
many  accounts  :  I  advise  the  reading  and  meditation  of 
it  more  frequently  than  any  single  book  of  Scripture  ;  and 
what  I  advise  I  practise.  Nothing  is  more  proper  to  fur- 
nish our  souls  with  devout  thoughts,  and  lead  us  into  a 
world  of  spiritual  experiences.  The  expressions  of  it  that 
are  not  Jewish  or  peculiar,  give  us  constant  assistance  in 
prayer  and  in  praise." 

We  admit,  in  the  next  place,  the  superior  excellence  of 
inspired  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs,  over  any 
merely  human  compositions;  but  the  book  of  Psalms 
does  not  contain  all  the  inspired  poetical  pieces  of  Scrip- 
ture ;  nor  can  Hebrew  poetry  be  turned  generally  into  cor- 
responding English  poetry,  suited  to  the  purpose  of  pub- 
lic singing,  without  permitting  the  versifier  to  give  a  free 
translation,  and  make  use  of  scriptural  paraphrase.  Be  it 
forever  remembered,  at  the  same  time,  that  neither  our 
prose  translation,  nor  Rouse's  version  of  the  book  of  psalms, 
is  the  work  of  inspiration.  Neither  of  them  is  a  good 
metrical  translation,  adapted  to  musical  recitation,  in 
common  congregations. 

Mr.  M'M.  has  not  indubitable,  but  we  have  satisfactory 
evidence  oj  the  proprltiy  of  using  human  composures  in 
the  psalmody  of  the  church.,  provided  those  human  psalms, 
hymns,  or  songs,  are  expressive  of  the  truth  revealed  in 
the  Holy  Bible,  and  convey  nothing  contrary  to  the  analo- 
gy  of  faith.  The  command,  Let  him  sing  psalms,  is  of  as 
general  a  nature  as,  Let  him  pray.  Neither  the  words  of 
his  psalms  nor  of  his  prayers  are  prescribed  ;  but  the  Bi- 
ble describes  the  esseutial  characteristics  of  both.  They 
must  be  consistent  with  the  revealed  will  of  God ;  and 
must  be  offered  with  devout  affections  of  heart,  in  one  who 
understands  their  meaning  and  design.  Every  command 
in  the  whole  Bible  to  sing  praises  to  the  Lord,  to  sing 
psalms  and  hymns,  and  odes,  might  be  cited  to  our  pur- 
pose,  exTcept  there  is  a  limitation  in  the  command,  so  as 
to  confine  us  to  divinely  inspired  pieces  of  composition. 

For  our  justification  we  plead  also  the  example  of  saints 
and  angels,  who  sang  without  confining  themselves  to 
songs  before  on  record,  and  were  not  reproved  for  so  doing. 


S92  Christian  PsahnoAij,  [Oct. 

As  for  exposing  ourselves  like  Nadab,  Abihu,  and  Uz- 
za,  there  is  no  more  danger  of  it  in  selecting  the  matter 
and  words  of  songs,  than  of  our  prayers  and  sermons;  for 
we  may  give  an  unhallowed  touch  to  the  ark  of  God,  in 
preaching  and  praying,  as  well  as  singing. 

The  arguments  employed  to  set  aside  the  book  of  Psalms, 
from  its  place  in  the  psalmody  of  the  church,  niay  be  not 
only  unsatisfactory^  but  frequently  impious ;  if  they  are, 
however,  the  fact  does  not  affect  the  position  which  we 
take ;  for  we  would  employ,  as  we  have  opportunity,  the 
sentiments  of  the  book  of  Psalms,  and  as  literal  a  versifica- 
tion of  the  original  divine  poems  of  the  Bible,  as  we  can 
find  well  suited  to  public  psalmody,  or  procure  to  be  made 
]:)y  any  individuals. 

We  cannot  help  thinking,  when  reading  Mr.  M*M.  on 
this  head,  that  it  would  have  been  ingenuous  for  him  to 
have  written,  The  arguments  employed  to  set  aside  Rouse's 
PARAPHRASE  OF  THE  PsALMs,  from  its  placc  iu  the 
psalmody  of  the  chu7xh^  appear  to  me  not  only  unsatisfac- 
tory^ but  frequently  impious.  Dr.  Watts,  whom  we  must 
say  our  brother  M'Masters  has  attacked  with  unreasonable 
asperity,  had  no  desire  to  exclude  a  poetic  translation,  as 
nearly  literal  as  might  be  consistent  with  good  taste,  of  the 
greater  part  of  the  book  of  psalms,  from  public  worship  : 
nor  have  we  ever  read  a  writer  on  the  subject  who  was  de- 
sirous of  excluding  an  evangelical  paraphrase  of  the  songs 
of  David  from  the  church. 

Finally,  *'  the  evil  consequences  of  supplying  the  place  of 
scripture  psalms  ivith  human  compositions  furnishes  a  sixth 
reason  against  it.^  p.  1 18.  We  reply  in  general,  that  every 
institution,  whether  of  God  or  man,  is  liable  to  abuse :  and 
neither  praying  nor  preaching  in  human  forms  of  speech, 
has  been  less  perverted  to  evil  purposes,  than  the  liberty 
which  Christians  generally  now  exercise  of  selecting  the 
forms  of  words  in  which  they  utter  praise  v/ith  harmony. 
"W^ould  it  be  fair,  hence  to  conclude,  that  men  in  preach- 
ing and  praying  should  never  use  any  words  but  those  con- 
tained in  a  literal  translation  of  the  Bible  ?  Then  it  is  not 
correct  to  infer,  that  because  some  have  written,  compiled, 
Tjud  sung  heretical  hymns,  therefore  it  is  not  lawful  for 


1319.]  Chrisliun  Psalmody.  395 

Christians  to  write,  compile,  and  sing  truly  evangelical 
songs,  in  human  arrangements  of  Ijiblical  words,  and  sen- 
timents. But  it  is  demanded,  "  Admit  them  once,  where 
shall  we  stop  V  Our  answer  is,  that  each  supreme  judica- 
tory of  its  respective  denomination,  may  be  as  safely  trust- 
ed with  the  exercise  of  their  discretion  on  this  subject, 
as  on  that  of  the  soundness  of  public  preachers.  Indeed 
we  might  as  well  trust  a  minister  and  session  to  judge  of 
the  soundness  and  suitableness  of  a  hyimiy  as  of  a  sermon 
or  pvaijer,  to  be  used  in  the  congregation  under  their  care ; 
but  to  promote  uniformity,  it  is  desirable  that  as  many 
churches  represented  in  one  general  assembly,  as  can  agree, 
should  adopt  some  one  system  of  psalmody,  for  their  pub- 
lic use.  It  is  requisite  too,  that  great  care  should  be  ex- 
ercised in  examining  any  book  of  sacred  songs,  which  is 
to  be  publicly  approved  and  sung,  because  ''  if  unsound 
in  principle,"  it  will  be  "a powerful  means  of  seduction 
from  the  path  of  truth." 

We  admit,  that  in  former  days,  Rouse's  Version  was 
sung  in  the  New- England  churches  ;  and  that  then  those 
churches  were  sound  in  doctrine.  They  were  also  gene- 
rally sound,  when  they  introduced  the  psalms  and  hymns 
of  Watts,  and  continued  so,  for  a  considerable  time,  with- 
out any  manifest  deterioration  resulting  from  their  psalmo- 
dy. In  process  of  time,  however,  the  public  preachingy 
and  privxite  conversation  of  a  few  persons  in  Boston,  who 
were  ordained,  when  heretical,  from  a  false  notion  of  evan- 
gelical liberty  and  Catholicism,  converted  many  of  the  peo- 
ple to  Arianism  ;  and  Dr.  Watts  was  superseded  by  the 
Arian,  Dr.  Belknap.  Dr.  Freeman  of  the  Stone  Chapel, 
being  a  thorough  and  consistent  Socinian,  altered  the  Epis- 
copal Liturgy,  and  compiled  a  selection  of  hymns  to  suit 
his  own  views ;  and  bubsequently  several  of  the  congrega- 
tional ministers  of  Boston  did  the  same ;  but  the  hetero- 
doxy of  the  metropolis  of  New- England  came  frompreac/i- 
ing  heresy  in  part,  and  from  not  preaching  the  peculiar 
doctrines  of  the  gospel,  j)rincipally  ;  so  that  the  rejection 
of  evangelical  psalms  and  hymns  was  one  of  the  effectSy 
not  the  original  cause,  of  the  error  now  prevalent  in  that 
part  cf  our  country.  "  It  is  a  fact,  not  admitting  of  doubt, 
that  where  his  [Dr,  Watts's]  compositions  were  first,  and 


594  Christian  Psalmody,  [Oct, 

have  been  longest,  used,  in  the  psalmody  of  the  church, 
Soeinianism  has  made  the  most  extensive  progress,"  but 
it  is  no  more  lair  to  impute  the  growth  of  Soeinianism  to 
the  psalms  and  hymns  of  Watts,  than  to  the  spirit  of  the 
American  Revolution,  or  many  other  things  ;  for  where  the 
spirit  of  civil  liberty  and  national  independence  was  first 
manifested  in  America,  and  where  a  college  was  first  insti- 
tuted, and  has  longest  flourished  in  the  United  States, 
tliere  Soeinianism  has  made  the  most  extensive  progress. 
Letter  V.  contains  the  author's  answers  to  objections 
brought  against  his  doctrine  of  psalmody.  We  shall  pass 
over  these,  and  enter  ilito  a  brief  inquiry  into  the  justice 
of  his  treatment  of  Dr.  Watts's  writings  on  the  subject  of 
psalmody.  Some  remarks  on  the  comparative  advantages 
of  the  poetical  productions  of  Rouse  and  Watts  will  then 
conclude  this  article. 

'  That  some  of  the  later  writings  of  Dr.  Watts  were  incon- 
sistent with  many  of  his  former  ones,  and  were  hostile  to  the 
real  deity  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  the  Trinity,  is  in- 
contestible  ;  but  this  has  no  concern  with  the  present  con- 
troversy. If  any  writings  in  the  world  clearly  express  the 
doctrines  of  the  Trinity  and  the  divinity  of  Jesus,  his  psalms 
and  hymns  and  Christian  doxologies  do.  But  does  Dr. 
W.  deserve  all  the  censure  for  his  preface  to  the  Psalms, 
his  preface  to  his  Hymns,  and  his  "  Short  Essay  towards 
the  Improvement  of  Psalmody,"  which  has  been  accumu- 
lated upon  his  memory  ? 

His  prefaces  contain,  says  the  Apologj^,  "a  bitter  libel  against 
the  original  songs  of  Zion."  p.  59.  "  It  was  found  that  the 
use  of  scripture  songs  '  flattened  devotion,  awakened  regret, 
and  touched  all  the  springs  of  uneasiness  in  the  worshipper's 
breast.'  Such  were  the  sentiments,  and  such  was  the  language 
of  Dr.  Watts."  p.  60.  "  Ancient  piety,  I  think,  would  not  have 
listened  with  patience  to  be  told,  that  the  words  of  inspiration 
*  darkened  our  views  of  God  our  Saviour,  tended  to  make  heresy 
triumphant,'  and  that  David  was  unfit  to  appear  in  the  sanctuary, 
till  converted  into  a  Christian  by  such  a  man  as  Dr.  Watts. 
Had  we  no  information  on  the  subject,  but  what  the  doctor's 
prefaces  supply,  we  would  [should]  be  tempted  to  inquire,  whe- 
ther he  was,  indeed,  friendly  to  our  religion,  or,  whether  he  was 
an  enemy  in  disguise.  We  have  read  Christiamty  as  old  as  the 
creation;  an  imposing  title,  covering  a  bold  attack  upon  divine 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  395 

revelation.  An  imitation  of  a  portion  of  David's  psalms,  ac- 
companied by  a  libel  against  the  rest,  by  Dr.  Watts,  promises 
little  more  than  the  insidious  publications  of  Mr.Tindal."  p.  71. 

Whither  has  our  author's  candour  fled  ?  Surely  he  must 
have  read  Watts  with  jaundiced  eyes,  and  such  narrow 
vision,  as  would  allow  him  to  see  no  more  than  half  a  line 
at  a  time.  We  should  naturally  conclude  from  this  seve- 
rity, without  any  examination,  that  our  author  was  not  a 
little  heated  by  the  fires  of  party  spirit.  He  must  have 
quoted  from  Watts  as  he  has  done  from  Mr.  Freeman. 
*' '  I  have  proved,'  says  Mr.  Freeman,  '  that  we  have  no 
authority,  divine  nor  human,  for  sini^ing  David's  psalms — 
they  should  not  be  used,  p.  20."  Apol.  p.  83.  Now  let 
us  quote  a  little  from  Mr.  Freeman's  Discourse,  ourselves. 

'*The  subjects  of  our  psalms,  hymns,  and  spiritual  songs, 
should  chiefly  be  derived  from  the  gospel  of  Christ.  I  say 
chiefly  ivoYd  the  gospel,  because  we  should  borrow  light  and  ad- 
vantage from  every  part  of  the  scriptures  that  will  afford  them; 
and  because  I  intend  to  shew  that  the  psalms  of  David  should 
not  be  used  as  the  only  system  of  praise  in  gospel  churches."  p. 
4. — "  They  should  not  be  used  as  a  system  of  psalmody  under 
the  gospel.  Those  on  the  opposite  side,  would  exclude  all  the 
word  of  God  from  their  psalmody,  except  the  psalms  of  David. 
But  I  would  exclude  no  part,  that  would  afford  us  light  and  ad- 
vantage in  our  songs  of  praise.  I  would  take  some  from  Da- 
vid and  the  prophets ;  but  I  would  take  chiefly  from  the  gospel, 
because  here  '  life  and  immortality  are  brought  to  light.' — I 
have  also  shewed  what  system  of  psalmody  would  be  the  best 
adapted  to  the  gospel  worship : — and  that  it  should  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  embrace  the  peculiarities  of  the  gospel."  p.  20. 

Here  let  our  readers  remark,  that  there  is  a  wide  differ- 
ence between  saying,  The  psalms  of  David  should  not  be 
used^  and,  They  should  not  be  used  as  a  system  ofj^salmo- 
dy,  Mr.  M'M.  by  cutting  a  sentence  in  two,  where  the 
author  has  not  even  a  comma,  makes  him  assert  that  Da- 
vid's psalms  should  not  be  used  at  all ;  whereas  Mr.  Free- 
man has  asserted,  that  although  there  is  no  positive  injunc- 
tion authorizing  Christians  to  use  them,  yet  they  may  law- 
fully be  used,  bat  should  not  constitute  the  whole  or  ihf, 
only  SYSTEM  of  ]:)salmody . 

Now,  if  Dr.  Watts  has  met  with  no  better  treatment 
than  Mr.  F.  it  may  be  possible  to  defend  the  greater  par', 
of  his  expressions  on  this  subject. 


396  Christian  Psalmody.  [Oct. 

We  have  already  seen  what  Dr.  W.  thought  of  the 
original  songs  of  Zion ;  and  it  cannot  be  that  he  should 
have  inteiuionaily  written  a  hitter  libel  against  them  ; 
whatever  he  may  have  said  against  Rouse's  versification  ot 
them.  He  says,  ''  though  the  Psalms  of  David  are  a 
work  of  admirable  and  divine  composure,  though  they 
contain  the  noblest  sentiments  of  piety,  and  breathe  m  most 
exalted  spirit  of  devotion  ;  yet  when  the  best  of  Christians 
attempt  to  sing  rnany  of  them  in  our  common  transla- 
tions, that  spirit  of  devotion  vanishes  and  is  lost,  the 
psalm  dies  upon  their  lips,  and  tliey  feel  scarce  any  thing  of 
the  holy  pleasure."  Would  not  any  candid  person  say, 
here  is  an  open  acknowledgment  of  the  inspiration  of  the 
Book  of  Psalms ;  and  there  can  be  no  doubt,  from  the 
very  beginning  of  his  preface,  but  that  the  author  is  a 
friend  to  our  holy  religion  ?  More  than  twenty  versions  of 
the  Psalter,  Dr.  W  had  seen,  in  which  the  writers  had 
attempted  to  combine  a  literal  translation  with  metre  and 
rhyme,  for  the  purpose  of  adapting  them  to  music.  Many 
of  the  psalms  in  these  common  translations  were  calcu- 
lated to  destroy  and  not  to  promote  devotion  ;  and  instead 
of  singing  them,  he  would  prefer  to  read  the  common  prose 
translation.  Now,  we  freely  acknowledge,  that  it  was  a 
long  time  after  we  first  heard  some  words  stretched  out, 
and  others  clipped,  or  cut  in  two,  and  spliced  in  the  public 
singing  of  Rouse,  that  we  were  able  to  exclude  the  con- 
ception of  something  ludicrous  in  it.  Who  does  not  feci 
disgust  at  hearing  the  word  salvation  sung,  sal-va-ti-ci-on^ 
as  it  must  be  in  multitudes  of  places,  to  eke  out  the  line, 
unless  you  would  destroy  the  harmony  of  the  voices  en- 
gaged in  praise,  and  thereby  produce  a  most  painful  con- 
fusion? It  is  some  such  mode  as  this  of  singing  some  of 
the  common  metrical  translations,  (for  none  else  were  ge- 
nerally attempted  to  be  sung  in  liis  day,)  that  Watts  asserted 
*'  doth  not  only  flat  our  devotion,  but  too  often  awaken  our 
regret,  and  touches  all  the  springs  of  uneasiness  in  us." 
He  never  said,  that  the  words  of  inspiration^  or  the  original 
songs  of  Zion  did  this.  Those  portions  of  the  psalms 
which  are  least  suited  to  our  own  circumstances,  might 
be  sung,  he  says,  were  the  versifier  to  throw  them  into  the 
form  of  narration,  so  that  they  might  be  uttered  by  a  con- 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  597 

gregation  "  rather  in  an  historical  manner,"  than  in  one  in 
which  the  personal  pronouns  /  and  ive  are  retained.  Take 
a  part  of  the  108th  psalm,  and  each  individuiv)  of  the 
congregation  might  chaunt,  or  sing,  I  will  divide  Shechem^ 
and  mete  out  tlie  valley  of  Succoth.  Gilead  is  mine ; 
Manasseh  is  mine  ;  Ephraim  also  is  the  strength  of  mine 
head ;  Judah  is  my  lawgiver ;  Moab  is  my  xoashpot ; 
over  Edom  will  I  cast  out  my  shoe  ;  over  Philistia  mil  I 
tmimph.  Who  loill  hnng  me  into  the  strong  city  ?  Who 
will  lead  me  into  Edom  ?  Public  singing  is  an  act  of  social 
worship,  and  every  singer  should  adopt  each  line  as  his 
own.  It  is  no  more  lawful  to  tell  lies  in  our  psalms,  than 
in  our  social  prayers.  No  one,  therefore,  could,  in  honesty, 
now  adopt  the  last  quoted  words  as  his  own ;  but  lei  him 
connect  something  like  a  historical  caption  with  verse 
seventh,  and  another  taken  from  the  title  of  the  Psalm  with 
verse  tenth ;  and  then  he  might  sing,  as  in  Rouse, 

"  God  in  his  holiness  hath  said. 

Herein  I  will  take  pleasure ; 
Shechem  I  will  divide,  and  forth 

Will  Succoth*s  valley  measure,"  &c. 

Rouse,  however,  represents  the  same  speaker,  Jehovah, 
as  asking,  in  v.  10,  11, 

O  who  is  he  will  bring  me  to  the  city  fortify'd  ? 

O  who  is  he  that  to  the  land  of  Edom  will  me  guide? 

O  God,  thou  who  hadst  cast  us  oft*,  this  thing  wilt  thou  not  do  ? 

We  apprehend  David  becomes  the  speaker  at  the  begin- 
ning of  these  interrogations  ;  and  one  who  sings  instead  of 
applying  them  to  himself,  should  insert  before  them,  thus 
David  and  his  people  sung  ;  for  surely  we  cannot  ask,  who 
will  bring  us  to  ihc  land  of  Edom ;  and  Jehovah  did  not 
pray,  saying,  0  God,  ivill  not  thou^  xoho  hast  cast  us  off? 

Is  it  just,  then  ;  because  Watts  was  disgusted  with  the 
common  metrical  translations  of  the  psalms,  and  thought 
that  some  of  them  could  not  be  adopted  by  a  Christian 
worshipper  as  the  expression  of  his  own  sentiments,  nor 
sung  by  him,  unless  they  were  thrown  into  the  form  of 
historical  poems;  to  intimate,  that  he  censured  the  ivord  of 
God  as  calculated  to  flatten  devotion^  awaken  regret ^  and 
excite  uneasiness  ? 

VOL.  ir.  3  E  No.  4. 


398  Chnstian  Psalmodij,  [Oct. 

As  to  Dr.  Watts's  attempt  to  convert  David  into  a 
Christian,  we  admit,  that  in  the  expression,  the  former  took 
an  unwarranted  poetic  license  of  speech ;  but  he  has  not 
intimated  that  he  doubted  the  eminent  piety  of  the  sweet 
singer  of  Israel,  or  thought  that  the  personal  irreligion  of 
David  would  have  excluded  him  from  the  Chnstian  church. 
His  evident  meaning  is,  that  several  of  the  Psalms  of  David 
ought  to  be  paraphrased,  explained,  or  commented  upon 
in  the  language  of  the  New  Testanfient,  before  they  could 
be  introduced  into  a  Christian  assembly  to  be  sung  there 
as  the  expression  of  each  singer's  personal  views  and  feel- 
ings.    Of  the  mode  of  conversion  of  which  Dr.  W.  wrote, 
we  have  just  given  an  example.     Had  W.  been  less  of  a 
poet,  even  in  his  prosaical  writings,  he  would  have  given 
less  offence  to  one  whose  musical  and  poetical  habits  must 
have  been  formed  by  the  peculiar  taste  of  Rouse     "  That 
very  action"  of  singing,  says  W.   '*  which  should  elevate 
us  to  the  most  delightful  and  divine  sensations,"  in  con- 
sequence of  the  manner  in  which  it  is  performed,   and 
sometimes  **  from  the  matter  and  words  to  which  we,'' 
who  sing  some  one  of  these  twenty  metrical  translations, 
"  confine  all  our  songs,"  *'  doth  not  only  flat  our  devotion, 
but  too  often  awaken  our  regret." 

But,  says  our  author,  Dr.  W.  has  more  than  intimated 
that  there  is  **  a  contradiction  between  the  word  of  God 
in  the  Old  Testament,  and  the  word  of  God  in  the  New 
Testament."  p.  71.     Now  we  deny  that  Dr.  W.  asserted 
any  such  thing.     He  says,  that  all  the  psalms  may  be  pro- 
fitably read  and   sung,  either  by  adopting  the  language, 
when  it  is  appropriate,  as  our  own,  or  by  using  it  as  a  his- 
tory of  ancient  saints ;  but,  that  some  of  the  psalms  in 
the  words  of  the  translations  used  in  public  singir.g  in  his 
day,  when  adopted  as  the  address  of  a  Christian  congrega- 
tion to  God,  were  ''almost  opposite  to  the  spirit  of  the 
gospel,"  calculated  to  darken  our  sight  of  God  our  Saviour y 
and  *'  contrary  to  the  new  commandment  of  loving  our 
enemies.''    This  is  nointimati(  n  thai  the  origii^al  songs  of 
the  Old  Testament,  when  considered  in  their  original  re- 
lations, and  as  prophetic  exhibitions  of  the  vengeance  of 
God  against  his  enemies,  are  contrary  in  word  or  spirit  to 
the  New  Testament,  or  to  the  commandment  of  Christ 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  399 

that  we  should  love  our  enemies.  He  refers  to  psalm 
Ixix.  26,  2,8.  Here  it  is  manifest  that  no  worshipper  can 
sing,  with  a  view  to  exprei'^^is  own  feehngs  and  desires, 
in  relation  to     , 

"  Those  men  that  do  without  a  cause  bear  hatred  unto  me, 

"  Out  of  the  book  of  life  let  them  be  raz'd  and  blotted  quite ; 
Among  the  just  and  righteous  let  not  theu'  names  be  writ ;" 

without  a  spirit  directly  hostile  to  the  gospel,  and  without 
a  direct  violation  of  the  commandment,  love  your  enemies. 
Yet  one  would  naturally,  from  the  use  of  a  simple  trans- 
lation of  the  verses,  be  led  to  sing  his  own  malignant  exe- 
crations against  his  own   personal  enemies,   and  to  think 
that  he  was  doing  God  service  by  breathing  out  revenge. 
To  prevent  such  a  misapplication  of  the  psalms,  our  Scotch 
brethren  have  in  some  editions  a  considerable  preface  to 
many   of  them,  explanatory  of  their  origin  and  design : 
and  Dr.  Wylie's  church  use  a  book  containing  Gillie's 
abridgment  of  Home's  commentary  on  the  separate  verses. 
They  show,  too,  by  their  short  sermons  on  the  Psalms, 
before  singing  them.,  with  what  views  their  hearers  should 
use  them  ;  and  if  their  people  have  skill  enough  to  sing 
with  mental   reservations,   paraphrases,  and  applications, 
without  any  personal  regard  to  their  own  enemies,  it  is 
well.     Now  Dr.  W.  would  have  some  of  these   instruc- 
tions contained  in  the  prosaic  prefaces  to  the  psalms,  or  in 
the  explanations  and   illustrations  of  the  minister   of  the 
gospel,  incorporated  in  the  song,  that  the  people  may  sing 
the  true  history  along  with  the  pious  sentiments,  instead 
of  singing  one  thing  and  understanding  another.     In  the 
6yth  psalm,  the  psalmist  evidently  personates  Christ,  and 
represents  him  as  one  to  whom   vengeance  belongs,  as 
praying  in  his  mediatorial  character,  for  the  final  destruc- 
tion of  all  the  enemies  of  his  spiritual  kingdom.     Dr. 
Watts  might  with  proprietv  have  followed  the  original  of 
this  psalm  more  closely,  but  he  did  wisely  to  incorporate 
his  prefiice  with  the  song,  and  to  indicate,  that  the  impre- 
cations of  the  psalmist  are   but  prophetic  declarations  of 
the  judgments  of  the  Lord.     Hence  he  sung,  what  many 
would  have  directed  the  worshipper  to  understand,  in  the 
use  of  Rouse's  versification : 


4G0  Christian  Psalmody,  [Oct. 

"  *Tvvas  for  our  sake.  Eternal  God, 

Thy  Son  sustain'd  that  heavy  load 
Of  base  reproach,  and  sore  ''isgrace, 
While  shame  defil'd  hisTacred  face 

•  •  ••••••» 

But  God  beheld ;  and,  from  his  throne, 
Marks  out  the  men  that  hate  his  Son ; 
The  hand  that  rais'd  him  from  the  dead. 
Shall  pour  the  vengeance  on  their  head.'* 

Here  might  have  followed  a  detail  of  the  evils  which 
Jesuii  declared  should  come  upon  them  :  and  a  very  little 
paraphrase  might  have  prevented  the  possibility  of  weak 
man's  singing  the  vengeance  of  Jehovah  as  if  it  were  his 
own. 

Mr.  M'M.  cites  Dr.  W.  as  saying  "  there  are  a  thou- 
sand lines  in  it — the  Book  of  Psalms — which  were  not 
made  for  a  church  in  our  days — I  should  rejoice  to  see — 
David  converted  into  a  Christian  :  but  because  I  cannot 
persuade  others  to  attempt  this  glorious  work,  1  have  suf- 
fered myself  to  be  persuaded  to  begin  it.''  p.  100. 

Give  Dr.  W.  his  due,  however,  and  we  shall  record  his 
words  thus :  '*  there  are  a  thousand  lines  in  it  ivhich  ivere 
not  made  for  a  church  in  our  days^  to  assume  as  its 
OWN."  This  last  clause  materially  affects  the.  sense  of 
the  one  which  precedes  it ;  and  the  quotation  of  it  pre- 
vents, at  once,  the  impression  which  his  opponent  designed 
to  produce.  The  extracts  generally,  which  the  Jlpology 
gives  from  Watts,  are  managed  in  this  way.  By  quoting 
in  a  different  manner,  we  will  let  Dr.  W.'  though  dead,  de- 
fend himself. 

"  Far  be  it  from  my  thoughts  to  lay  aside  the  book  of  Psalms 
in  public  worship  ;  few  can  pretend  so  great  a  value  for  them 
as  myself;  it  is  the  most  artful,  most  devotional,  and  divine 
collection  of  poesy  ;  and  nothing  can  be  supposed  more  proper 
to  raise  a  pious  soul  to  heaven  than  some  parts  of  that  book : 
never  was  a  piece  of  experimental  divinity  so  nobly  written,  and 
so  justly  reverenced  and  admired  :  but  it  must  be  acknowledged 
still,  that  there  are  a  thousand  lines  in  it  which  were  not  made 
for  a  church  in  our  days,  to  assume  as  its  own  :  there  are  also 
many  deficiencies  of  light  and  glory,  which  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  and  his  apostles  have  supplied  in  the  writings  of  the 
New  Testament ;  and  with  this  advantage  I  have  composed 
these  spiritual  songs,  which  are  now  presented  to  the  world. 


i  8 1 9.]  Chrisfian  Psahnody.  401 

Nor  is  the  attempt  vain-glorious  or  presuming;  for  in  respect  • 
of  clear  evangelical  knowledge,  The  least  in  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  greater  than  all  the  Jewish  prophets.  Mat.  xi.  11."  p. 
128  -if  his  rvorks  vol.  ix. — '•'You  will  always  find  in  this  para- 
ph^Tise  dark  expressions  enlightened,  and  the  Levitical  ceremo- 
nies and  Hebrew  forms  of  speech  changed  into  the  worship  of 
the  gospel,  and  explained  in  the  language  of  our  time  and  na- 
tion :  and  what  would  not  bear  such  an  alteration,  is  omitted 
and  laid  aside.  After  this  manner  should  I  rejoice  to  see  a 
good  part  of  the  book  of  Psalms  fitted  for  the  use  of  our 
churches,  and  David  converted  into  a  Christian."  p.  129. — 
"  Another  reason  why  the  Psalms  ought  not  to  be  translated 
for  sinking  just  in  the  same  manner  they  are  for  reading,  is  this, 
that  the  design  of  these  two  duties  is  very  different :  by  reading 
we  learn  what  God  speaks  to  us  in  his  word  ;  but  when  we 
sing,  especially  unto  God,  our  chief  design  is,  or  should  be,  to 
speak  our  hearts  and  our  words  to  God.  By  reading  we  are 
instructed  what  have  been  the  dealings  of  God  with  men  in  all 
ages,  and  how  their  hearts  have  been  exercised  in  their  wander- 
ings from  God,  and  temptations,  or  in  their  return  and  breath- 
ings towards  God  again :  but  songs  are  generally  expressions 
of  our  experiences,  or  of  his  glories ;  we  acquaint  him  what 
sense  we  have  of  his  greatness  and  goodness,  and  that  chiefly 
in  those  instances  which  have  some  relation  to  us  :  we  breathe 
out  our  souls  towards  him,  and  make  our  addresses  of  praise 
and  acknowledgment  to  him."  p.  8. 

A  Christian  congregation  may  sing  historical  cantos, 
but  the  chief  design  of  psalmody  is  to  unite  the  people  of 
God  in  one  melodious  expression  of  such  sentiments  of 
praise,  adoration,  gratitude,  and  love  as  are  due  to  Jehovah. 
Each  individual  who  says  /  in  any  psalm,  unless  he  quotes 
the  language  of  another,  ought  to  speak  something  which 
is  true  concerning  himself;  and  those  who  adopt  the  plu- 
ral we  and  us,  something  relative  to  the  congregation  en- 
gaged in  worship. 

Let  us  then  come  to  a  brief  comparison  of  the  produc- 
tions of  Rouse  and  Watts. 

Rouse  makes  each  singer  utter,  as  if  they  were  truly  ap- 
plicable to  himself,  many  expressions  which  were  by  the 
Spirit  designed  to  denote  the  personal  feelings  of  Christ, 
or  of  David  alone.  The  twenty-second  Psalm  affords  many 
instances  of  this.  The  book  in  our  hand  is  commonly 
nsed :  it  has  no  preface  to  any  psalm  :  and  begins, 


402  Christian  Psalmody,  [Oct, 

•      "  Mj  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  me  forsaken  ?  why  so  far 
Art  thou  from  helping  me,  and  from  my  words  that  roaring  are  ? 

All  that  me  see  laugh  me  to  scorn  ;  shoot  out  the  lip  do  they ; 
They  nod  and  shake  their  heads  at  me,  and  mocking,  thus  do  say. 
This  man  did  trust  in  God,  that  he  would  free  him  by  his  might; 
Let  him  deliver  him,  sith  he  had  in  him  such  delight.*' 

Now  these  expressions  were  designed  as  a  prophetical  re- 
presentation of  Christ^s  prayers  and  complaints  in  agony ; 
and  yet  the  singer,  unless  he  sings  with  mental  reservations 
and  explanations,  or  with  his  preacher's  understanding,  and 
not  the  meaning  of  his  own  words,  must  attribute  Christ's 
peculiar  circumstances  and  sufferings  to  himself,  falsely. 
Dr.  Watts,  by  a  little  history  taken  from  the  New  Testa- 
ment illustration  of  this  psalm,  enables  the  singer  to  cele- 
brate Christ's  trials  and  anguish,  instead  of  literally  utter- 
ing lies  concerning  himself. 

"  Now  let  our  mournful  songs  record  , 

The  dying  sorrows  of  our  Lord, 
"When  he  complained  in  tears  and  blood. 
As  one  forsaken  of  his  God. 
The  Jews  beheld  him  thus  forlorn. 
And  shake  their  head^  and  laugh  in  scorn; 
He  rescued  others  from  the  grave, 
JVow  let  him  try  himself  to  saveJ" 

Instances  of  this  kind,  in  which  the  psalms  of  Watts 
carry  their  own  explanation  along  with  them,  and  in  which 
Rouse's  do  not,  are  numerous. 

Those  who  sing  Watts  can  mean  as  they  sing ;  but  in 
very  many  lines,  those  who  sing  Rouse  must  understand 
something  very  different  from  what  their  words  express. 

The  former  has  combined  many  passages  of  the  New 
Testament,  as  in  the  last  quotation,  with  the  writings  of  the 
ancient  poets  of  Israel ;  and  the  latter  has  endeavoured, 
without  succeeding  in  it,  to  exclude  every  thing  from  each 
psalm,  but  a  literal  translation  of  the  original  words. 

Watts  has  much  of  that  /{^ht  and  immortality/  brou;^ht 
to  light,  more  clearly,  in  the  gospel,  by  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tles ;  while  the  psalms  of  Rouse  seem  adapted  to  a  people 
whose  religious  privileges  have  never  excelled  those  enjoy- 
ed by  the  Jews. 

The  versification  of  Watts  is  smooth,  easy,  and  natural ; 
while  Rouse,  to  make  rhymes  and  a  literal  translation,  has 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody,  403 

employed  an  inverted,  harsh,  unnatural,  inharmonious  style 
of  versification,  found  in  no  other  species  of  composition 
in  our  language. 

Watts  has  given  us  beauties  from  every  poetical  part  of 
the  Bible  ;  and  Rouse  has  not  attempted  to  derive  aid  from 
any  portion  of  the  scriptures  besides  the  book  of  psalms. 

The  sacred  songs  of  Watts  give  us,  for  the  above  rea- 
son, a  greater  portion  of  divinely  revealed  truth,  than  the 
paraphrase  of  Rouse. 

In  the  psalms  of  Watts  the  names  of  Christ,  and  the 
ideas  of  objects  familiar  to  one  living  under  the  last  dispen- 
sation of  the  covenant  of  grace,  are  frequently  introduced  ; 
but  while  Rouse  has  psalms  that  treat  of  Christ,  it  is  only 
under  the  comparative  obscurity  of  the  Hebrew  dispensa- 
tion, by  prophecy,  types,  and  shadows,  if  we  except  a  few 
passages  in  which  Jesus  is  designated  as  the  Son,  Lord,  and 
Most  Mighty. 

Rouse,  however,  has  versified  after  his  own  fashion,  all 
the  psalms,  and  Watts  has  omitted  several,  which  it  was 
desirable  should  have  been  introduced;  and  which  defect 
Dr.  Dwight  has  in  a  great  measure  supplied  in  his  revision 
of  our  system  of  psalmody. 

Rouse  again,  we  befieve,  cannot  be  charged  with  any 
unscriptural  doctrines ;  but  in  some  few  instances  we  must 
withhold  this  praise  from  Watts.  In  his  version  of  the 
fifty-first  Psalm,  for  instance,  Watts  represents  a  penitent 
as  saying,  notwithstanding  his  consciousness  of  penitence, 

"Should  sudden  vengeance  seize  my  breath, 
I  must  pronounce  thee  just  in  death; 
And  if  my  soul  were  sent  to  hel). 
Thy  righteous  law  approves  it  well." 

No  man,  who  believes  himself  to  be  truly  penitent,  and 
who  has  a  good  acquaintance  with  the  plan  of  salvation, 
can  say  that  God  would  now  be  just,  and  his  law  righteous 
in  sending  him  to  hell,  for  Jehovah  has  solemnly  promised 
to  save  him  ;  and  his  salvation  is  a  debt  of  justice  to  ('hrist. 
Dr.  Dwight  allows  this  verse  to  remain  unaltered ;  but  Dr. 
Livingston  was  too  sound  a  divine  to  follow  his  example. 
He  has  omitted  it,  in  his  compilation,  Wc  should  have 
preferred  some  alteration,  to  make  it  read  thus ; 


404  Christian  Psalmody*  [Oct. 

Had  sudden  vengeance  seized  my  breath. 
And  sealed  me  for  the  second  death ; 
Yes,  had  my  soul  been  sent  to  hell. 
Thy  justice  nad  approved  it  well.* 

Had  David,  or  any  one  else  been  sent  to  hell,  without 
redemption  and  regeneration,  it  would  have  been  strictly 
equitable. 

The  106th  hymn  of  Book  2d  is  an  excellent  one,  if  we 
except  the  first  stanza;  which  we  never  sing,  because  we 
do  not  believe  that  any  soul  formed  for  woe,  and  knowing 
it,  would  ever  exercise  repentance.  The  part  which  wc 
amputate,  runs  thus : 

"  Oh,  if  my  soul  was  form'd  for  woe. 

How  would  I  vent  my  sighs ! 
Repentance  should  like  rivers  flow, 

From  both  my  streaming  eyes." 

A  slight  alteration  would  render  this  verse  sound  in 
doctrine.     Let  us  change  it  into  the  following  form  : 

"  Oh,  had  my  soul  been  doom'd  to  woe. 
How  should  I  vent  my  sighs ! 
Death's  sorrows  would  like  rivers  flow 
Forever  down  mine  eyes." 

The  Rev.  Messrs.  Clark,  Anderson,  and  M^Masters, 
have  given  us  nearly  the  same  criticisms  upon  several 
passages  of  Dr.  Watts's  psalms ;  and  sometimes  in  the 

*  The  corresponding  verse  in  common  metre  is  thus  expressed ; 

"Shouldst  thou  condemn  my  soul  to  hell. 
And  crush  my  flesh  to  oust ; 
Heaven  would  approve  thy  vengeance  well. 
And  earth  must  own  it  just.'* 

Mr.  Clark  very  properly  asks,  p.  1 S.  "  Is  not  this  a  dangerous  doc- 
trine ?  How  can  a  soul  be  condemned  to  hell  after  conversion  r  God 
says  no  such  thing  in  the  original.  This  imitation  represents  David 
speaking  as  an  unpardoned  soul,  though  God  had  sent  JVat/ian  to  tell 
him  he  was  actually  pardoned.     How  unjust  would  it  be  after  that 

Sard  on  to  damn  him  to  hell !  What  heaven  is  it  would  approve  such 
amnation  ?" 
We  would  alter  it  thus," — 

Hadst  thou  condemned  my  soul  to  hell. 

And  crush'd  my  flesh  to  dust, 
Heaven  had  approv'd  thy  vengeance  well. 

And  saints  confess'd  thee  just. 


1819.]  Christian  Psalmody.  405 

same  words.  Some  of  their  remarks  on  <^bnoxious  stanzas 
are  weighty,  and  not  a  few  of  them  trivial.  Mr.  Ander- 
son is  most  copious ;  and  any  one  who  chooses  to  consult 
him,  will  find  all  which  the  others  liave  expressed,  witFi 
much  more,  directed  to  the  same  object.  The  other  two 
gentlemen  have  not  uttered  objections,  ho\vever,  -like  Mr. 
Anderson,  from  want  of  taste ;  for  he  seems  no  more  fitted 
to  the  detection  of  poetical  faults  and  beauties,  than  a 
ploughshare  to  perform  the  work  of  a  graving-tool. 

"  Thev  wound  his  head,  his  hands,  his  feet, 
Till  streams  of  blood  each  other  meet," 

he  represents  as  an  instance  of  *' puerile  conceits."  p.  89. 

There  is  reason  to  apprehend,  that  many  of  the  oppo- 
nents of  Watts's  sacked  songs  read  them  with  an  evil  eye ; 
and  feel  themselves  bound  to  discover  greater  blemishes 
in  them  than  really  exist.  No  doubt  they  are  imperfect ; 
and  so  are  all  the  prayers  and  sermons  uttered  in  our 
churches,  in  some  respect  or  other.  We  could  earnestly 
wish,  that  ecclesiastical  testimonies,  and  warnings,  and 
covenants,  with  the  pride  of  consistency,  had  not  bound 
very  many  of  our  highly  esteemed  brethren  in  the  Lord, 
to  look  unfavourably  on  all  *' modern  hipmiologists.'''' 

After  all,  the  instances  in  which  eironeous  sentiments 
are  expressed  in  Watts's  psalms  and  hymns  are  few,  and 
might  be  easily  corrected.  Until  they  are,  every  minis- 
ter and  people  are  at  liberty  to  avoid  singing  any  part  which 
they  deem  exceptionable ;  for  God  has  commanded  us  to 
sing,  and  restricted  our  songs  only  by  the  injunction  to 
do  every  thing  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.  A  form  of 
psalmody  he  has  not  required  us  to  o!)serve,  any  more 
than  a  form  in  every  prayer  which  we  offer.  But  to  pro- 
mote union,  and  perpetuate  sound  doctrine,  among  brethren 
who  agree  in  all  essential  doctrines,  we  should  be  glad  to 
find  a  joint  committee  appointed  by  the  supreme  judica- 
tory of  each  Presbyterian  denomination  in  this  country, 
who  should 

1.  Give  a  copy  of  Rouse  improved  ;  or  some  metrical 
translation  of  each  psalm  without  rhyme,  and  call  it  Version 
1st  : 

2.  Give  a  copy  of  Watts  improved,  or  of  some  other 

VOL.    I  J.  3   F  No.  4. 


406  Form  of  Gomrnnmi^U  [Oct. 

author,  on  each  psalm,  and  call  it  Version  lid,  or  Illd, 

when  more  than  one,  besides  Rouse,  shall  be  deemed  de- 
sirable :  And 

3,  Append  to  these  psalms,  a  selection  of  improved 
hymns,  on  any  other  poetical,  or  other  suitable  parts  of  the 
Scriptures.  Let  all  other  psalm  and  hymn  books,  then, 
be  banished  from  our  respective  churches ;  and  let  our 
brethren  in  the  Associate,  Associate  Reformed,  and  Re- 
formed Presbyteries  send  delegates  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  way  will  then.be 
prepared  for  their  and  our  Synods  to  be  amalgamated ;  and 
so  all  the  Presbyterian  Churches  in  the  United  States  will 
become  one  in  Christian  and  ecclesiastical  fellowship. 


Article  IV. — Report  of  a  Committee  of  the  General  Asseinbhj^ 
appointed  for  revising  the  Form  of  Government^  and  the  Forms 
of  Process  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  StaUs  of 
America :  ordered  to  be  printed  for  the  consideration  of  the 
Presbyteries.     Phila.  1819.  pp.  37.  8vo. 

It  is  expected  that  next  May,  this  Report,  in  a  revised 
form,  will  be  presented  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  sent 
down  to  the  Presbyteries  under  its  care,  for  adoption  or  re- 
jection. It  is  of  importance,  therefore,  since,  after  May 
l8iil,  it  will  probably  become,  in  the  final  shape  which  it 
may  receive,  the  ecclesiastical  law  of  our  judicatories,  that 
any  alterations,  amendments,  or  additions,  deemed  advis- 
able, should  speedily  be  proposed  for  consideration  and 
discussion. 

In  our  judgment,  this  Report  is  a  wise  and  judicious 
production ;  such  as  might  have  been  reasonably  expected 
from  such  enlightened  and  eminent  men  as  Doctors  Miller, 
Romeyn,  Alexander  and  Nott.  Comparatively  few  things 
contained  in  it  would  be  improved  by  an  alteration  ;  and 
those  few  we  shall  expose  with  freedom,  from  a  sincere 
desire,  that  the  whole,  when  adopted,  may  be  as  complete 
as  possible.  Others,  we  hope,  will  freely  exercise  the  same 
liberty. 

The  Introduction  to  the  old  form  of  government  is  to 
constitute  the^ri^  chapter  of  the  new.  We  are  then  told, 
*' chapters  ii.  iii.  iv.  v.  vi.  vii.  to  remain  as  before."  But 
what  is  to  become  of  chap.  i.  of  the  old  form  ?  We  cannot 


